Proverbs, 31

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

1. The sayings of Lemuel, king of Massa, taught him by his mother.

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

2. No, my son! Son of my womb, no! No, my most beloved son!

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

3. Do not waste your strength on women, or your life on those who destroy kings.

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

4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to love strong drink.

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

5. Lest in drinking they forget what they have decreed and override the cause of the helpless.

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

6. Give strong drink to the one about to die and wine to the heart full of bitterness:

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

7. so that he may drink and forget his misfortune and remember his pain no more.

8. Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

8. Speak on behalf of the dumb and defend the cause of all who are destitute.

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

9. Open your mouth, pronounce just sentences, defend the needy and the poor.

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

10. The woman of character, where is she to be found? She is more precious than any jewel.

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

11. Her husband has complete confidence in her; she will be of great benefit to him.

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

12. She brings him only good and not evil, all the days of her life.

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

13. She has obtained wool and flax, and works them with skillful hands.

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

14. She is like the merchant ships which bring provisions from afar.

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

15. She gets up while it is still dark, feeds her household and allots tasks to the servants.

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

16. If she sets her heart on a field, she buys it and plants a vineyard with her own hands.

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

17. She is full of energy and her arms show her strength.

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

18. She knows her work is successful and, at night, her light remains unextinguished.

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

19. She puts her hand to the distaff and her fingers hold the spindle.

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

20. She reaches out her hand to the helpless and gives to the poor.

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

21. When snow comes, she has no fears for her household since they are all doubly clothed.

22. She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

22. She makes her own quilts and her clothes are purple and fine linen.

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

23. Her husband is well-respected; he sits in council with the elders of the people.

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

24. She weaves linen cloth and sells it; she supplies the merchants with sashes.

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

25. She is strong and dignified and looks with confidence to the future.

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

26. She speaks wisely and her words are kind.

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

27. She keeps an eye on the conduct of her household and is never idle.

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

28. Her sons rise up and call her blessed, her husband sings her praises:

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

29. "Many women have done wonders but you surpass them all."

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

30. Charm is deceptive and beauty useless; the woman who is wise is the one to praise.

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

31. May she enjoy the fruits of her labor and may all praise her for her works.