Proverbs Chapter 31 Back{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} [
Note] 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 arms 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!
Proverbs Chapter 31 Back