Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.

2 “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3 Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

5 lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter 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 remember his misery no more.

Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.

15 She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.

16 She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20 She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits amongst the elders of the land.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband also, and he praises her.

29 “Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.

30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.