Proverbs 31

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

1The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

2What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?

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

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

3Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

4Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:

4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

5And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.

5— lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

6Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:

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

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

7Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.

7let 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.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

9Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.

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

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

10Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.

10Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.

11The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.

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

12She will render 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 seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.

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

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

14She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.

14She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

15And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.

15And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.

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

16She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

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

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

17She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.

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

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

18She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.

18She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.

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

19She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.

19She putteth 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.

20She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

21She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.

21She 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.

22She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.

22She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.

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

23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.

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

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

24She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.

24She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

25Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

26She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

27She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.

27She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

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

28Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

29Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.

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

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

30Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

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

31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.