Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.
4 Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.
16 Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
