Proverbs 31
1 The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 to desire 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 rights 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 to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
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, In the cause of every orphan!
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain 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 capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
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:
She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With 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 how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, 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 hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen 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 with the elders of the land.
24 Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26 Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
She looketh well to 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 extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
29 Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
“Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all.”
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth 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 ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
