Proverbs 31
1 The words of Lemuel the king, —the strain which was taught him by his mother: —
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? aye what, the son of my vows?
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Do not give, to women, thy strength, nor thy ways, to them who ruin kings.
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor, for dignitaries, to desire 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 he drink, and forget that which is decreed, and alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink, to him that is perishing, and wine, to such as are embittered in 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, his wearying toil, let him remember 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 the children of the departed.
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously, —and administer justice for the poor and the needy.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 A virtuous woman, who can find? for, far beyond corals, is her worth.
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband, trusteth her, and, gain, he shall not lack:
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
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 ships of the merchant, from afar, she bringeth in her food;
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 And she riseth, while yet it is night, and giveth food to her household, and a task to her maidens:
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16 She considereth a field, and procureth it, Out 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, with strength her loins, and putteth vigour into her arms:
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She tasteth, whether, good, be her merchandise, and her lamp, goeth not out by night:
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19 Her hands, she putteth forth to the distaff, and, her palms, lay hold of the spindle:
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 Her palm, she spreadeth out to the oppressed, and, her hands, she extendeth to the needy:
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She feareth not, for her household, because of the snow, for, all her household, are clothed with crimson:
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 Coverlets, she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple, is her clothing:
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Known in the gates, is her husband, when he sitteth, with the elders of the land:
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.
24 Fine linen wraps, she maketh and selleth, and, girdles, doth she deliver to the trader:
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 time to come:
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 Her mouth, she openeth with wisdom, and, the instruction of kindness, is on her tongue:
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, and, the bread of idleness, will she not eat.
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her happy! her husband, and he praiseth her: —
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 Many daughters, have done virtuously, but, thou, excellest them all!
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh, she, shall be praised:
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her own hands, and let her own works, praise her in the gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
