< Proverbs 31 >

1 The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
3 Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire strong drink,
Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
5 Lest he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
Et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
6 Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in soul:
Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and, his wearying toil, let him remember no more.
bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the children of the departed.
Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
10 A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
11 The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
12 She doeth him good and not evil, all the days of her life:
Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
15 And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
16 She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard:
Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
17 She girdeth, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
18 She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
19 Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
20 Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
21 She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:
Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
22 Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
23 Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
24 Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
25 Strength and dignity, are her clothing, and she laugheth at the time to come:
Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
26 Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
28 Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
29 Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
31 Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.

< Proverbs 31 >