Proverbs 31
31
What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him
1These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
was taught by his mother.
2My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.
3Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
4Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.
5Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you mistreat the poor.
6Beer and wine are only
for the dying or for those
who have lost all hope.
7Let them drink and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.
8But you must defend
those who are helpless
and have no hope.
9Be fair and give justice
to the poor and homeless.
In Praise of a Good Wife
10A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!
11Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.
12She is good to him
every day of her life,
13and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.
14She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
from across the sea.
15She gets up before daylight
to prepare food for her family
and for her servants.#31.15 and … servants: Or “and to tell her servants what to do.”
16She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17and she always works hard.
18She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.
19She spins her own cloth,
20and she helps the poor
and the needy.
21Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn't worry
when it snows.
22She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.
23Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
in the city.
24She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.
25She is strong and graceful,#31.25 She … graceful: Or “The clothes she makes are attractive and of good quality.”
as well as cheerful
about the future.
26Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.
27She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.
28Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,
29“There are many good women,
but you are the best!”
30Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
deserves to be praised.
31Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.
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Proverbs 31: CEVDCI
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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31
31
The Words of Lemuel
1The words of #31:1 The identity of King Lemuel is uncertain; however, ancient Jewish tradition connects Lemuel with Solomon.King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:
2¶What, O my #31:2 This chapter consists of two poetic sections. The first (vv 2-9) details the qualities needed to be a wise ruler, and the second (vv 10-31) the qualities describing an excellent wife.son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?
3Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor #31:3 See note Gen 22:24.concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink, [Eccl 10:17; Hos 4:11]
5Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,
And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty
And no longer remember his trouble.
8Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; [1 Sam 19:4; Esth 4:16; Job 29:15, 16]
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. [Lev 19:15; Deut 1:16; Job 29:12; Is 1:17; Jer 22:16]
Description of a Worthy Woman
10¶#31:10 The following verses are written as an acrostic poem (each of the twenty-two verses begins with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet). Aside from the artistry, the acrostic structure also aided memorization.An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?
Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov 12:4; 18:22; 19:14]
11The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],
And he will have no lack of gain.
12She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax
And works with willing hands in delight.
14She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];
She brings her [household’s] food from far away.
15She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
And assigns tasks to her maids. [Job 23:12]
16She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];
With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
17She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]
And makes her arms strong.
18She sees that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].
19She stretches out her hands to the #31:19 I.e. the staff that holds the textile fibers for spinning.distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].
20She opens and extends her hand to the poor,
And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.
21She does not fear the snow for her household,
For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool]. [Josh 2:18, 19; Heb 9:19-22]
22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.
Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool]. [Is 61:10; 1 Tim 2:9; Rev 3:5; 19:8, 14]
23Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land. [Prov 12:4]
24She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;
And supplies sashes to the merchants.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;
And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].
26She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,
And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].
27She looks well to how things go in her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. [1 Tim 5:14; Titus 2:5]
28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,
29“Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],
# 31:29 The source of this remarkable woman’s success and competence is revealed in v 30, and it is a source available to everyone. She is wise because she understands and puts into practice the message contained in 9:10. But you excel them all.”
30Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,
But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.
31Give her of the product of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]. [Phil 4:8]
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