Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 princes 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 judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth 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 maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth Yhwh, 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 own works praise her in the gates.
