Proverbs 31

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

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that 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, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from far.

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

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

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

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

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

She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

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

She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.

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

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

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

She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reachs 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

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

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

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

She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles unto the merchant.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

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

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that fears the LORD, 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 own works praise her in the gates.