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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Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31
31
The Words of Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle # Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden # Pr 30:1 that his mother taught him:
2What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb? # Is 49:15
What, son of my vows?
3Don’t spend your energy # Pr 5:9 on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings. # Dt 17:17; 1Kg 11:1; Neh 13:26
4It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings # 1Kg 16:9; 20:16; Ec 10:17 to drink wine # Pr 20:1
or for rulers to desire beer.
5Otherwise, they # Lit he will drink,
forget what is decreed, # Hs 4:11
and pervert justice for all the oppressed. # Lit sons of affliction # Ps 72:1-2; Is 28:7
6Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter. # Jb 3:20
7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more. # Ps 104:15
8Speak up # Lit Open your mouth for those who have no voice, # Lit who are mute # Jb 29:12-17
for the justice of all who are dispossessed. # Lit all the sons of passing away
9Speak up, # Lit Open your mouth judge righteously, # Lv 19:15; Dt 1:16
and defend the cause of # Lit and justice for the oppressed and needy. # Is 1:17; Jr 22:16
In Praise of a Capable Wife
10Who can find a capable wife? # Or a wife of quality, or a wife of noble character # Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4; 18:22; 19:14
She is far more precious than jewels. # Vv. 10-31 form an acrostic.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away. # 1Kg 10:22
15She rises while it is still night # Pr 20:13
and provides food for her household
and portions # Or tasks for her female servants. # Pr 27:27; Lk 12:42
16She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings. # Or vineyard by her own labors # Mt 21:33
17She draws on her strength # Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
and reveals that her arms are strong. # Pr 31:25
18She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night. # Mt 25:8
19She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle. # Pr 31:13
20Her hands reach # Lit Her hand reaches out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy. # Dt 15:11; Pr 22:9; 31:9; Rm 12:13; Eph 4:28
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed. # LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
22She makes her own bed coverings; # Pr 7:16
her clothing is fine linen # Gn 41:42; Rv 19:8,14 and purple. # Jdg 8:26; Lk 16:19
23Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land. # Ru 4:1-2; Pr 24:7; 31:31
24She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts # Or sashes to the merchants.
25Strength # Pr 31:17 and honor are her clothing, # 1Tm 2:9-10
and she can laugh at the time to come. # Pr 31:21
26She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction # Or and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches over the activities of her household # Pr 31:15
and is never idle. # Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
28Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29“Many women # Lit daughters are capable,
but you surpass them all! ” # Pr 12:4; 31:10; Sg 6:8-9
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, # 1Pt 3:3-4
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31Give her the reward of her labor, # Lit the fruit of her hands
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
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