Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
3 Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
5 Et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.
6 Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.
8 Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9 aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.
10 Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11 Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
14 Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.
15 Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.
16 Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.
18 Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
21 Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.
29 Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.
30 Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31 Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
