Proverbs 31

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

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

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

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

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

Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.

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

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

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

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.

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

Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

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

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

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

Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.

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

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

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

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

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

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.

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

She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

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

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

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

She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.

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

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

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

She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.

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

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.

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

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

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

She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

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

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

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

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

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

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

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

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

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

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

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

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

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

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

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

Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.

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

Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.

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

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

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

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.