Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which 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, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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, O 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 judgment of any that is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto 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 thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
A virtuous woman who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food 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 riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
She layeth 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 spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth 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 maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
She maketh 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 known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 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 [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: [but] a woman that feareth the LORD, 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; and let her works praise her in the gates.
