Proverbs 31
1 The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember no more.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
