Proverbs 31:1 ←
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
Proverbs 31:2 ←
What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
Proverbs 31:3 ←
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
Proverbs 31:4 ←
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
Proverbs 31:5 ←
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
Proverbs 31:6 ←
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Proverbs 31:7 ←
Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
Proverbs 31:8 ←
Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
Proverbs 31:9 ←
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Proverbs 31:10 ←
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
Proverbs 31:11 ←
The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
Proverbs 31:12 ←
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13 ←
She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
Proverbs 31:14 ←
She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
Proverbs 31:15 ←
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
Proverbs 31:16 ←
After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
Proverbs 31:17 ←
She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
Proverbs 31:18 ←
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
Proverbs 31:19 ←
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
Proverbs 31:20 ←
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
Proverbs 31:21 ←
She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
Proverbs 31:22 ←
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
Proverbs 31:23 ←
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
Proverbs 31:24 ←
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
Proverbs 31:25 ←
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Proverbs 31:26 ←
Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:27 ←
She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
Proverbs 31:28 ←
Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
Proverbs 31:29 ←
Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
Proverbs 31:30 ←
Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:31 ←
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
Public Domain