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