Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Give not your strength unto women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs forth her hands to the needy.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
