Proverbs 31 / 31
- 1
(The Words of King Lemuel)
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
- 2
What are you doing, my son? 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;
- 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.
- 9
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
- 10(The Woman Who Fears the Lord)
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 herself 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.
- 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.