Proverbs 31

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

These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.

2 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?

What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.

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

Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.

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

Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.

5 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.

For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.

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

Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.

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

Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.

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

Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.

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

Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.

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

Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!

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

Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.

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

She brings him good, not evil, all her life.

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

She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.

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

Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.

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

She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.

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

She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.

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

She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.

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

She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.

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

She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.

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

She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.

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

She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.

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

She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.

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

Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.

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

She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.

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

She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.

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

She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.

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

She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.

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

Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,

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

“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”

30 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.

Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.

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

Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.