Proverbs 31
1The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
2“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
3Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
4Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
5And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
6Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
7Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
9Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
10Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
11The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
12She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
14She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.
15And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
16She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
17She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
18She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
19She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
21She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
22She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
23Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
24She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
25Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
26She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
28Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
29Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
30Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
31Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.