Proverbs 31
1 The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 “Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
30 Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
