Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

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

What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

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

Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

4 It is not for kings, 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 take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

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

For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

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

Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

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

Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

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

Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

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

Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

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

Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

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

The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

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

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

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

She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

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

She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

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

She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

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

After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

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

She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

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

She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

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

She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

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

Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

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

She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

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

She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

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

Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

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

She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

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

Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

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

Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

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

She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

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

Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

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

Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

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

Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

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

Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.