Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
2 What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
3 Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
5 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
6 Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
7 Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
9 Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
12 She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
13 She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
18 She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
27 She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
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 lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
