Proverbs 31
1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
Verba Lamuelis regis. Visio, qua erudivit eum mater sua.
2 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?
Quid dilecte mi, quid dilecte uteri mei, quid dilecte votorum meorum?
3 Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
Ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam, et divitias tuas ad delendos reges.
4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
Noli regibus, o Lamuel, noli regibus dare vinum: quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas.
5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
et ne forte bibant, et obliviscantur iudiciorum, et mutent causam filiorum pauperis.
6 Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
Date siceram moerentibus, et vinum his, qui amaro sunt animo:
7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
ut bibant, et obliviscantur egestatis suae, et doloris sui non recordentur amplius.
8 Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
Aperi os tuum muto, et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt:
9 Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
aperi os tuum, decerne quod iustum est, et iudica inopem et pauperem.
10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
Mulierem fortem quis inveniet? procul, et de ultimis finibus pretium eius.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
Confidit in ea cor viri sui, et spoliis non indigebit.
12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
Reddet ei bonum, et non malum, omnibus diebus vitae suae.
13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
Quaesivit lanam et linum, et operata est consilia manuum suarum.
14 She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
Facta est quasi navis institoris, de longe portans panem suum.
15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.
Et de nocte surrexit, deditque praedam domesticis suis, et cibaria ancillis suis.
16 She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
Consideravit agrum, et emit eum: de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam.
17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
Accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos, et roboravit brachium suum.
18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
Gustavit, et vidit quia bona est negotiatio eius: non extinguetur in nocte lucerna eius.
19 She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.
Manum suam misit ad fortia, et digiti eius apprehenderunt fusum.
20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
Manum suam aperuit inopi, et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem.
21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
Non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis: omnes enim domestici eius vestiti sunt duplicibus.
22 She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
Stragulatam vestem fecit sibi: byssus, et purpura indumentum eius.
23 And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
Nobilis in portis vir eius, quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae.
24 She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
Sindonem fecit, et vendidit, et cingulum tradidit Chananaeo.
25 She puts on strength and honor; and rejoices in the last days.
Fortitudo et decor indumentum eius, et ridebit in die novissimo.
26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
Os suum aperuit sapientiae, et lex clementiae in lingua eius.
27 The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
Consideravit semitas domus suae, et panem otiosa non comedit.
28 And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
Surrexerunt filii eius, et beatissimam praedicaverunt: vir eius, et laudavit eam.
29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.
Multae filiae congregaverunt sibi divitias: tu supergressa es universas.
30 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.
Fallax gratia, et vana est pulchritudo: mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur.
31 Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
Date ei de fructu manuum suarum: et laudent eam in portis opera eius.
