Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any that is afflicted.
Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul:
Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
10 A virtuous woman who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
12 She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
14 She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She is like the ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.
And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: her lamp goeth not out by night.
She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
20 She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:
22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: [but] a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
