| 31:1 |
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. |
| 31:2 |
"Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! |
| 31:3 |
Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. |
| 31:4 |
It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' |
| 31:5 |
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. |
| 31:6 |
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: |
| 31:7 |
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
| 31:8 |
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. |
| 31:9 |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." |
| 31:10 |
{ Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order. }Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. |
| 31:11 |
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. |
| 31:12 |
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 31:13 |
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. |
| 31:14 |
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. |
| 31:15 |
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. |
| 31:16 |
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. |
| 31:17 |
She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. |
| 31:18 |
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. |
| 31:19 |
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
| 31:20 |
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. |
| 31:21 |
She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 31:22 |
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 31:23 |
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 31:24 |
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. |
| 31:25 |
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. |
| 31:26 |
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 31:27 |
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. |
| 31:28 |
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: |
| 31:29 |
"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all." |
| 31:30 |
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. |
| 31:31 |
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates! |
