Proverbs — Chapter 31

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.

19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:

29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.

1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

3do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.

8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.

9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

11Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends.

12She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life.

13She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands.

14She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar.

15Then she rose while it was still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

16She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard.

17She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms.

18She perceived that her merchandise was good. Her lamp would not go out in the night.

19She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasped the spindle.

20She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy.

21She would not fear for her household in winter, because all her household were clothed with scarlet,

22because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is well known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

24She made linen garments then sold them and traded belts to the merchants;

25her clothing was strong and splendid; and she laughed at the time to come.

26She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.

27Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:

29“Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all!”

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the Lord—she makes herself praiseworthy.

31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

1The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.

2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

10Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!