Proverbs 31

The Words of King Lemuel

1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2  What are you doing, my son?t What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
3  Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
5  lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6  Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;t
7  let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8  Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.t
9  Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

The Woman Who Fears the Lord

10 t An excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11  The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12  She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13  She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14  She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15  She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16  She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17  She dresses herselft with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19  She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20  She opens her hand to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21  She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.t
22  She makes bed coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23  Her husband is known in the gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24  She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25  Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26  She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27  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, and he praises her:
29  "Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all."
30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31  Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.

Proverbs 31

What King Lemuel's mother taught him

1 These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
was taught by his mother.

2 My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.

3 Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.

4 Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.

5 Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you ill-treat the poor.

6 Beer and wine are only
for the dying or for those
who have lost all hope.

7 Let them drink and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.

8 But you must defend
those who are helpless
and have no hope.

9 Be fair and give justice
to the poor and homeless.

In praise of a good wife

10 A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!

11 Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.

12 She is good to him
every day of her life,

13 and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.

14 She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
from across the sea.

15 She gets up before daylight
to prepare food for her family
and for her servants.t

16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,

17 and she always works hard.

18 She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.

19 She spins her own cloth,

20 and she helps the poor
and the needy.

21 Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn't worry
when it snows.

22 She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.

23 Her husband is a well known
and respected leader
in the city.

24 She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.

25 She is strong and graceful,t
as well as cheerful
about the future.

26 Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.

27 She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.

28 Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,

29 “There are many good women,
but you are the best!”

30 Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honours the Lord
deserves to be praised.

31 Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.