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.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 31: CEVDCI
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31
31
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
2 "What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
3 Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
4 Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
5 And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
6 Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
7 Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
9 Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
10 Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
11 The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
12 She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
14 She has become like a merchant's ship, bringing her bread from far away.
15 And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
16 She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
17 She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
18 She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
19 She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20 She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
21 She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
22 She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
23 Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
24 She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
25 Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
26 She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27 She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
28 Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
30 Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
31 Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in