Proverbs 31

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

1These are the words of King Lemuel, a message of wisdom his mother taught him.

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

2What should I say to you, my son? What, the son of my womb? What, the son of my promises to God?

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

3Do not waste your strength on women or spend your life on things that ruin kings.

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

4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave strong drink.

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

5If they drink, they might forget the law and ignore the rights of the poor and suffering.

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

6Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in deep emotional pain.

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

7Let them drink to forget their poverty and stop remembering their misery.

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

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of all who are defenseless.

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

9Speak up and judge fairly; make sure the poor and needy get justice.

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

10Who can find a truly excellent wife? She is worth far more than precious rubies.

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

11Her husband trusts her completely, and because of her, he lacks nothing of value.

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

12She brings him good, not harm, every day of her life.

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

13She hunts for wool and flax and enjoys working with her hands.

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

14She is like a merchant ship, bringing her food from far away.

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

15She gets up while it is still dark to prepare food for her family and assign tasks to her servant girls.

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

16She evaluates a field and buys it; with the money she has earned, she plants a vineyard.

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

17She puts on strength like clothing and makes her arms strong for her work.

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

18She makes sure her business is profitable, and her lamp burns late into the night.

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

19She reaches out her hands to spin thread and her fingers hold the spindle.

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

20She reaches out to help the poor and opens her arms to those in need.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her family, because everyone in her household is dressed in warm, expensive clothes.

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

22She makes her own bedspreads, and her clothes are made of fine linen and purple cloth.

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

23Her husband is well-known at the city gates, where he sits among the leaders of the land.

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

24She makes linen clothes and sells them; she supplies the merchants with belts.

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

25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she looks to the future with confidence and joy.

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

26When she speaks, she uses wisdom, and she gives instructions with kindness.

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

27She watches over everything that happens in her home and is never lazy.

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

28Her children stand up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.

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

29He says, 'Many women have done wonderful things, but you are better than all of them.'

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

30Charm can be trickery and beauty fades away, but a woman who honors the LORD will be praised.

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

31Give her credit for everything she has done, and let her work bring her honor in public.