Proverbiorum 31
1 verba Lamuhel regis visio qua erudivit eum mater sua
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 quid dilecte mi quid dilecte uteri mei quid dilecte votorum meorum
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam et vias tuas ad delendos reges
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 noli regibus o Lamuhel noli regibus dare vinum quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 ne forte bibat et obliviscatur iudiciorum et mutet causam filiorum pauperis
lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 date siceram maerentibus et vinum his qui amaro sunt animo
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 bibant ut obliviscantur egestatis suae et doloris 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 your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 aperi os tuum decerne quod iustum est et iudica inopem et pauperem
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 aleph mulierem fortem quis inveniet procul et de ultimis finibus pretium eius
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 beth confidit in ea cor viri sui et spoliis non indigebit
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 gimel reddet ei bonum et non malum omnibus diebus vitae suae
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 deleth quaesivit lanam et linum et operata est consilio manuum suarum
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 he facta est quasi navis institoris de longe portat panem suum
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 vav et de nocte surrexit deditque praedam domesticis suis et cibaria ancillis suis
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 zai consideravit agrum et emit eum de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 heth accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos et roboravit brachium suum
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 teth gustavit quia bona est negotiatio eius non extinguetur in nocte lucerna illius
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 ioth manum suam misit ad fortia et digiti eius adprehenderunt fusum
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 caph manum suam aperuit inopi et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 lameth non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis omnes enim domestici eius vestiti duplicibus
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 mem stragulam vestem fecit sibi byssus et purpura indumentum eius
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 nun nobilis in portis vir eius quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.
24 samech sindonem fecit et vendidit et cingulum tradidit Chananeo
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 ain fortitudo et decor indumentum eius et ridebit in die novissimo
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 phe os suum aperuit sapientiae et lex clementiae in lingua eius
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 sade considerat semitas domus suae et panem otiosa non comedet
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 coph surrexerunt filii eius et beatissimam praedicaverunt vir eius et laudavit eam
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 res multae filiae congregaverunt divitias tu supergressa es universas
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 sin fallax gratia et vana est pulchritudo mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall 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! Let her works praise her in the gates!
