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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Proverbs 31: ERV
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© 1987, 2004 Bible League International
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.