Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?
It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 — lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:
7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, 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 dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
Her husband trusts in her from his heart, and she will prove a great asset to him.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and chokim ·portions· for her servant girls.
16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends 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 maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Instructions of cheshed ·loving-kindness· is on her tongue.
27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband too, as he praises her:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
“Many women have done noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
Chen ·Charm, Grace· is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Adonai, she shall be praised.
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 hands! Let her works speak her praise at the city gates!
