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, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys 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, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes 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 afflicted.
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 those that be of heavy hearts.
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 your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
Who can find a virtuous woman? 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 does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
She seeks wool, and flax, and works 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 brings her food from far.
15 And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18 She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
19 Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs 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 makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 sits among the elders of the land.
24 Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in 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 looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
29 Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, 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.
