Proverbs 31
31
Advice to a King
1These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2“You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? 3Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings. 4Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. 5When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. 6Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
8“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. 9Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy.”
The Capable Wife
10How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
11Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
13She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
15She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20She is generous to the poor and needy.
21She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
24She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
30Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the LORD should be praised.
31Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Proverbs 31
31
1The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
2What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
3Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
4Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
5And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
6Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
7Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
9Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
10Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
12She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
14She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
15And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
16She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
18She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
19She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
21She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
22She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
23Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
24She made fine linen, and sold it, end delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
25Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
26She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
28Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
29Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
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An historical text maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society.