Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with 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 her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her lamp goeth not out by night.
She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth waistbands to the merchant.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
“Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
