Proverbs 31
1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.
2 “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?
3 Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is 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 justice due to anyone who is 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 who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
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 your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to 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 worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.
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 arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.
20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat 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 praises her:
Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,
29 “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
“Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, 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! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.
