Proverbs 31 — Side by side (BBE, WEB, ASV)

1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

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

2What 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?

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

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

3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

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

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

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

5For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

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

6Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

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

7Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

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

8Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

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

9Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

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

10Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

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

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

11The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

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

12She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

13She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

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

14She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

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

15She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

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

16After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

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

17She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

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

18She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

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

19She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

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

20Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

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

21She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

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

22She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

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

23Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

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

24She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

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

25Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

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

26Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

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

27She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

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

28Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

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

29Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

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

30Fair 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.

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

31Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

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