Proverbs 31
1 The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
"Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, son of my vows.
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.
Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for princes to take strong drink,
5 because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
7 He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."
10 Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
19 She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."
30 Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands. Let her works praise her in the gates.
