Proverbs 31
31
Words of King Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2No, my son!
No, son of my womb!
No, son of my solemn promises!
3Don’t give your strength to women,
your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,
it isn’t for kings to drink wine,
for rulers to crave#31.4 Or where or or strong drink.
5Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,
and violate the rights of the needy.
6Give strong drink to those who are perishing
and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7Let them drink and forget their poverty
and no longer remember their toil.
8Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.#31.8 Or all children who are passing away
9Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor.
The competent wife
10A competent wife, how does one find her?
Her value is far above pearls.
11Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
and with her he will have all he needs.
12She brings him good and not trouble
all the days of her life.
13She seeks out wool and flax;
she works joyfully with her hands.
14She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
bringing food from a distance.
15She gets up while it is still night,
providing food for her household,
even some for her female servants.
16She surveys a field and acquires it;
from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17She works energetically;
her arms are powerful.
18She realizes that her trading is successful;
she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.
19She puts her hands to the spindle;
her palms grasp the whorl.
20She reaches out to the needy;
she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
because they are all dressed in warm#31.21 LXX; MT red clothes.
22She makes bedspreads for herself;
fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23Her husband is known in the city gates
when he sits with the elders of the land.
24She makes garments and sells them;
she supplies sashes to traders.
25Strength and honor are her clothing;
she is confident about the future.
26Her mouth is full of wisdom;
kindly teaching is on her tongue.
27She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
28Her children bless her;
her husband praises her:
29“Many women act competently,
but you surpass them all!”
30Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Let her share in the results of her work;
let her deeds praise her in the city gates.
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Proverbs 31: CEB
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Proverbs 31
31
A Mother’s Warning
1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3do not give your vigor to women, or your ways to what ruins kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5lest they drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6Give strong drink to one who is dying, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed—
7let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the justice of all who are destitute.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, plead the cause of the poor and needy.
A Woman of Valor
10An accomplished woman who can find? Her value is far beyond rubies.
11Her husband’s heart trusts in her, and he lacks nothing valuable.
12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and her hands work willingly.
14She is like merchant ships, bringing her sustenance from afar.
15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field and buys it. From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength and invigorates her arms.
18She discerns that her business is good. Her lamp never goes out at night.
19She extends her hands to the spindle and her palm grasps the spinning wheel.
20She spreads out her palms to the poor, and extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her house, for her whole household is clothed in scarlet wool.
22She makes her own luxurious coverings. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected at the city gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies sashes to the merchants.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom— a lesson of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise and bless her, her husband also praises her:
29“Many daughters have excelled, but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Adonai will be praised.
31Give her the fruit of her hands. Let her deeds be her praise at the gates.
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