Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Date siceram moerentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 ut bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suae, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitae suae.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 Quaesivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 Et de nocte surrexit, deditque praedam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 Non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananaeo.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiae, et lex clementiae in lingua eius.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 Consideravit semitas domus suae, et panem otiosa non comedit.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam praedicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 Multae filiae congregaverunt sibi divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
