Proverbs 31
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
These are the words of King Lemuel, an oracle, taught to him by his mother.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
What shall I tell you, my son?—the son I gave birth to, the son given in response to my vows.
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She brings him good, not evil, all her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.
14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
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 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it; ] and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.
25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
She looks after the needs of her whole household, and she's never idle.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
Her children are quick to bless her. Her husband praises her too, saying,
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
“Many women do great things, but you are better than all of them!”
30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
Charm can deceive, and beauty fades, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
Give her the recognition she deserves; praise her publicly for what she's done.
