Proverbiorum 31
1 Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [[shall I say to thee?]]
3 Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
Give not thy strength to 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 desire 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 rights of any of the afflicted.
6 Date siceram moerentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;
7 ut bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suae, 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 every orphan!
9 aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!
10 Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.
11 Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.
12 Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitae suae.
She doeth him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.
13 Quaesivit 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 praedam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.
16 Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
She layeth a plan for 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 eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.
20 Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 Non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.
22 Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.
23 Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae.
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24 Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananaeo.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25 Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.
26 Os suum aperuit sapientiae, et lex clementiae in lingua eius.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.
27 Consideravit semitas domus suae, 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 praedicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [[saving, ]]
29 Multae filiae congregaverunt sibi 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.
Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
