Proverbs 31
1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
2 “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
5 lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Date siceram mœrentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suæ, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitæ suæ.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
Quæsivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
Et de nocte surrexit, deditque prædam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
17 She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Non timebit domui suæ a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terræ.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananæo.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
Os suum aperuit sapientiæ, et lex clementiæ in lingua eius.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Consideravit semitas domus suæ, et panem otiosa non comedit.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam prædicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
29 “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
Multæ filiæ congregaverunt divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
