Proverbs 31

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.WEBThe words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?WEB“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.WEBDon’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

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

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.WEBlest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.WEBGive strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.WEBLet 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.WEBOpen your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.WEBOpen your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

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

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.WEBThe heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

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

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.WEBShe seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.WEBShe is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.WEBShe rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.WEBShe considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.WEBShe arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.WEBShe perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

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

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.WEBShe opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.WEBShe 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.WEBShe makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.WEBHer husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.WEBShe makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.WEBStrength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.WEBShe opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

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

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.WEBHer children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.WEB“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.WEBCharm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.WEBGive her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!