Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio qua erudivit eum mater sua.
The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected 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 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 to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
5 et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur judiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is 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 the bitter in soul;
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 justum est, et judica 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 ejus.
A woman of valour 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 doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
She doeth 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 merchant-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 food 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 maketh strong her arms.
18 Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio ejus; non extinguetur in nocte lucerna ejus.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti ejus apprehenderunt fusum.
She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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 ejus 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 ejus.
She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Nobilis in portis vir ejus, 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 linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum ejus, et ridebit in die novissimo.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua ejus.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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 ejus, et beatissimam prædicaverunt; vir ejus, et laudavit eam.
Her children rise 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 valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
30 Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum, ipsa laudabitur.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Date ei de fructu manuum suarum, et laudent eam in portis opera ejus.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
