Proverbs 31

The Sayings of King Lemuel

1 These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. She spoke them as if they came from God.
2 She said, "My son! My very own son!
The son I prayed for!

3 Don't waste your strength on women.
Don't waste it on those who destroy kings.
4 "Lemuel, it isn't good for kings to drink wine.
It isn't good for rulers to long for beer.
5 If they do, they might drink and forget what the law commands.
They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.
6 Give beer to those who are dying.
Give wine to those who are sad and troubled.

7 Let them drink and forget how poor they are.
Let them forget their suffering.
8 "Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves.
Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
9 Speak up and judge fairly.
Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy."

The Noble Wife

10 Who can find a noble wife?
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her completely.
She gives him all the important things he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She chooses wool and flax.
She loves to work with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of traders.
She brings her food from far away.
15 She gets up while it is still dark.
She provides food for her family.
She also gives some to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it.
She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
17 She gets ready to work hard.
Her arms are strong.
18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money.
Her lamp doesn't go out at night.
19 With one hand she holds the wool.
With the other she spins the thread.
20 She opens her arms to those who are poor.
She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
21 When it snows, she's not afraid for her family.
All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
22 She makes her own bed coverings.
She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate.
There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen clothes and sells them.
She supplies belts to the traders.
25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes.
She can laugh at the days that are coming.
26 She speaks wisely.
She teaches faithfully.
27 She watches over family matters.
She is busy all the time.
28 Her children stand up and call her blessed.
Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
29 He says, "Many women do noble things.
But you are better than all the others."
30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades.
But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.

31 Give her the reward she has earned.
Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.

Proverbs 31

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

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

3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

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

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

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

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

11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.

19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth 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.

22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.