Proverbs 31
31
The Sayings of King Lemuel
1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,#31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa; or of King Lemuel, an oracle. which his mother taught him.
2O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,
3do not waste your strength on women,
on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5For if they drink, they may forget the law
and not give justice to the oppressed.
6Alcohol is for the dying,
and wine for those in bitter distress.
7Let them drink to forget their poverty
and remember their troubles no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
ensure justice for those being crushed.
9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
and see that they get justice.
A Wife of Noble Character
10 # 31:10 Verses 10-31 comprise a Hebrew acrostic poem; each verse begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet. Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
She is more precious than rubies.
11Her husband can trust her,
and she will greatly enrich his life.
12She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She finds wool and flax
and busily spins it.
14She is like a merchant’s ship,
bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She is energetic and strong,
a hard worker.
18She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
her lamp burns late into the night.
19Her hands are busy spinning thread,
her fingers twisting fiber.
20She extends a helping hand to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21She has no fear of winter for her household,
for everyone has warm#31:21 As in Greek and Latin versions; Hebrew reads scarlet. clothes.
22She makes her own bedspreads.
She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23Her husband is well known at the city gates,
where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24She makes belted linen garments
and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she laughs without fear of the future.
26When she speaks, her words are wise,
and she gives instructions with kindness.
27She carefully watches everything in her household
and suffers nothing from laziness.
28Her children stand and bless her.
Her husband praises her:
29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
but you surpass them all!”
30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be greatly praised.
31Reward her for all she has done.
Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
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Proverbs 31: NLT
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Holy Bible, New Living Translation copyright 1996, 2004, 2007, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation.
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Proverbs 31
31
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2“Oh, my son!
Oh, son of my womb!
Oh, son of my vows!
3Don’t give your strength to women,
nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5lest they drink, and forget the law,
and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,
and wine to the bitter in soul.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute,
in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
10 # 31:10 Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order. Who can find a worthy woman?
For her value is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships.
She brings her bread from afar.
15She rises also while it is yet night,
gives food to her household,
and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field, and buys it.
With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17She arms her waist with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing.
She laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29“Many women do noble things,
but you excel them all.”
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!
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