Proverbiorum 31
1 verba Lamuhel regis visio qua erudivit eum mater sua
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother instructed him.
2 quid dilecte mi quid dilecte uteri mei quid dilecte votorum meorum
What [hast thou done], O my son: and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my vows?
3 ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam et vias tuas ad delendos reges
Give not unto women thy vigor, nor thy ways to those that ruin kings.
4 noli regibus o Lamuhel noli regibus dare vinum quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas
Not for kings, O Lemoel, not for kings [it is fitting] to drink wine, nor for princes, strong drink:
5 ne forte bibat et obliviscatur iudiciorum et mutet causam filiorum pauperis
Lest either might drink, and forget what is written in the law, and pervert the cause of all the afflicted.
6 date siceram maerentibus et vinum his qui amaro sunt animo
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those who have an embittered soul.
7 bibant ut obliviscantur egestatis suae et doloris non recordentur amplius
Let such a one drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
8 aperi os tuum muto et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt
Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all fatherless children.
9 aperi os tuum decerne quod iustum est et iudica inopem et pauperem
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and decide the cause of the poor and needy.
10 aleph mulierem fortem quis inveniet procul et de ultimis finibus pretium eius
Who can find a virtuous woman: for far above pearls is her value.
11 beth confidit in ea cor viri sui et spoliis non indigebit
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he will not see his gain diminish.
12 gimel reddet ei bonum et non malum omnibus diebus vitae suae
She treateth him well and not ill, all the days of her life.
13 deleth quaesivit lanam et linum et operata est consilio manuum suarum
She seeketh for wool and flax, and worketh with her willing hands.
14 he facta est quasi navis institoris de longe portat panem suum
She is become like the merchant's ships: from afar doth she bring her food.
15 vav et de nocte surrexit deditque praedam domesticis suis et cibaria ancillis suis
And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth provision to her household, and a task to her maidens.
16 zai consideravit agrum et emit eum de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam
She thinketh of a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 heth accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos et roboravit brachium suum
She girdeth with strength her loins, and giveth vigor to her arms.
18 teth gustavit quia bona est negotiatio eius non extinguetur in nocte lucerna illius
She perceiveth that her profit is good: [therefore] her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 ioth manum suam misit ad fortia et digiti eius adprehenderunt fusum
She stretcheth out her hands to the spindle, and her palms hold fast the distaff.
20 caph manum suam aperuit inopi et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem
She spreadeth out wide her open palm to the poor: yea, her hands she stretcheth forth to the needy.
21 lameth non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis omnes enim domestici eius vestiti duplicibus
She hath no fear for her household of the snow: for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 mem stragulam vestem fecit sibi byssus et purpura indumentum eius
Tapestry-covering she maketh for herself: of linen and purple is her attire.
23 nun nobilis in portis vir eius quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae
Well known is in the gates her husband, when he sitteth with the elders of the land.
24 samech sindonem fecit et vendidit et cingulum tradidit Chananeo
Fine tunics she maketh, and selleth them, and girdles she furnisheth unto the merchant.
25 ain fortitudo et decor indumentum eius et ridebit in die novissimo
Strength and dignity are her clothing: and she smileth at the coming of the last day.
26 phe os suum aperuit sapientiae et lex clementiae in lingua eius
She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 sade considerat semitas domus suae et panem otiosa non comedet
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she doth not eat.
28 coph surrexerunt filii eius et beatissimam praedicaverunt vir eius et laudavit eam
Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband, also, and he praiseth her:
29 res multae filiae congregaverunt divitias tu supergressa es universas
“Many daughters have done virtuously; but thou excellest them all.”
30 sin fallax gratia et vana est pulchritudo mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur
False is grace, and vain is beauty: a woman only that feareth the Lord shall indeed be praised.
31 thau 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.
