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 Oracle of King Lemuel
1The words of Lemuel, the king—an oracle
that his mother taught him:
2What, my son? And what, my son in my womb?
And what, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to the women,
and your ways to destroy kings.
4It is not for the kings, O Lemuel;
drinking wine is not for the kings,
nor is strong drink for rulers.
5Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed,
and he will pervert the rights#Hebrew “right” of all the afflicted.#Literally “sons of affliction”
6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress.#Literally “to bitterness of soul”
7He will drink and forget his poverty,
and his misery he will not remember any more.
8Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights#Hebrew “right” of all the needy.#Literally “the sons of the needy”
9Open your mouth, judge righteousness,
and defend the poor and needy.
An Excellent Woman#Prov 31:10–31 is an acrostic poem
10A woman#Or “wife” of excellence,#Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency” who will find?
For her worth is far more than precious jewels.
11The heart of her husband#Or “lord” trusts in her,
and gain he will not lack.
12She does him good, but not harm
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and she works with the diligence of her hands.#Literally “her palms”
14She is like the ships of a merchant;
from far off she brings her food;#Or “bread”
15And she arises while it is still night,
and gives food to her household,
and tasks to her servant girls.
16She considers a field and buys it,
from the fruit of her hand#Literally “her palm” she plants a vineyard.
17She girds her waist in strength,
and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is good;
her lamp does not go out in the night.
19Her hands she puts onto the distaff,#A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound in preparation for spinning
and her palms hold a spindle.
20Her palm she opens to the poor,
and her hand she reaches out to the needy.
21She does not fear for her house when it snows,
for her entire household#Literally “all her house, household” is clothed in crimson.
22She makes for herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband#Or “lord” is known at the gates,
in his seat among the elders of the land.
24Linen garments she makes and sells,
and she supplies sashes for the merchants.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the future.#Literally “to the day/time coming after”
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and instruction of kindness is upon her tongue.
27She looks after the ways of her household,
and the bread of idleness she will not eat.
28Her children rise and consider her happy,
her husband#Or “lord” also, and he praises her;
29“Many daughters have done excellence,#Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency”
but you surpass#Literally “you ascend over” all of them.”
30Charm#Hebrew “The charm” is deceit and beauty#Hebrew “the beauty” is vain;#Or “vapor,” or “emptiness,” or “breath”
but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.
31Give to her from the fruit of her hand,
and may they praise her works in the city gates.
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