Proverbs 31
31
Wise Words for a King
1These are the wise sayings that King Lemuel’s mother taught him:
2I prayed for a son, and you are the son I gave birth to. 3Don’t waste your strength on women. Women destroy kings, so don’t waste yourself on them. 4Lemuel, it is not wise for kings to drink wine. It is not wise for rulers to want beer. 5They may drink too much and forget what the law says. Then they might take away the rights of the poor. 6Give beer to people without hope. Give wine to those who are in trouble. 7Let them drink to forget their troubles. Let them forget they are poor.
8Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Help people who are in trouble. 9Stand up for what you know is right, and judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of the poor and those who need help.
The Perfect Wife
10 # 31:10-31 In Hebrew, each verse of this poem starts with the next letter of the alphabet, so this poem shows all the good qualities of a woman “from A to Z.” How hard it is to find the perfect wife.#31:10 the perfect wife Or “a noble woman.”
She is worth far more than jewels.
11Her husband depends on her.
He will never be poor.
12She does good for her husband all her life.
She never causes him trouble.
13She is always gathering wool and flax#31:13 flax A plant used to make linen cloth.
and enjoys making things with her hands.
14She is like a ship from a faraway place.
She brings home food from everywhere.
15She wakes up early in the morning,
cooks food for her family, and gives the servants their share.
16She looks at land and buys it.
She uses the money she has earned and plants a vineyard.
17She works very hard.
She is strong and able to do all her work.
18She works late into the night
to make sure her business earns a profit.
19She makes her own thread
and weaves her own cloth.
20She always gives to the poor
and helps those who need it.
21She does not worry about her family when it snows.
She has given them all good, warm clothes.
22She makes sheets and spreads for the beds,
and she wears clothes of fine linen.
23Her husband is a respected member of the city council,
where he meets with the other leaders.
24She makes clothes and belts
and sells them to the merchants.
25She is a strong person,#31:25 She is a strong person Or “She is praised.” and people respect her.
She looks to the future with confidence.
26She speaks with wisdom
and teaches others to be loving and kind.
27She oversees the care of her house.
She is never lazy.
28Her children say good things about her.
Her husband brags about her and says,
29“There are many good women,
but you are the best.”
30Grace and beauty can fool you,
but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
31Give her the reward she deserves.
Praise her in public for what she has done.
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
Proverbs 31
31
The Teaching of King Lemuel's Mother
1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2No, my son! No, son of my womb!
No, son of my vows!
3Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to desire#31.4 Cn: Heb where strong drink;
5or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,
and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
8Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.#31.8 Heb all children of passing away
9Speak out, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Ode to a Capable Wife
10A capable wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant,
she brings her food from far away.
15She rises while it is still night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her servant-girls.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all her household are clothed in crimson.
22She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the city gates,
taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her happy;
her husband too, and he praises her:
29“Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
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New Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1989 Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the USA. Used by permission. All rights reserved.