Proverbs 31
31
Advice to a King
1These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2“You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? 3Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings. 4Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. 5When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. 6Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
8“Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. 9Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy.”
The Capable Wife
10How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
11Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
13She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
15She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20She is generous to the poor and needy.
21She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
24She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
30Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honours the LORD should be praised.
31Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
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Good News Bible. Scripture taken from the Good News Bible (r) (Today's English Version Second Edition, UK/British Edition). Copyright © 1992 British & Foreign Bible Society. Used by permission.
Proverbs 31
31
1The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
Advice to a Prince
2“What, my son?
What, son to whom I gave birth?
What, son of my prayers?
3Don’t give your strength to women
or your power to those who ruin kings.
4“It is not for kings, Lemuel.
It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
5Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed
and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
6Give liquor to a person who is dying
and wine to one who feels resentful.
7Such a person drinks
and forgets his poverty
and does not remember his trouble anymore.
8“Speak out for the one who cannot speak,
for the rights of those who are doomed.
9Speak out,
judge fairly,
and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”
A Poem in Hebrew Alphabetical Order
10“Who can find a wife with a strong character?
She is worth far more than jewels.
11Her husband trusts her with ⌞all⌟ his heart,
and he does not lack anything good.
12She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
13“She seeks out wool and linen ⌞with care⌟
and works with willing hands.
14She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
15She wakes up while it is still dark
and gives food to her family
and portions of food to her female slaves.
16“She picks out a field and buys it.
She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
17She puts on strength like a belt
and goes to work with energy.
18She sees that she is making a good profit.
Her lamp burns late at night.
19“She puts her hands on the distaff,
and her fingers hold a spindle.
20She opens her hands to oppressed people
and stretches them out to needy people.
21She does not fear for her family when it snows
because her whole family
has a double layer of clothing.
22She makes quilts for herself.
Her clothes are ⌞made of⌟ linen and purple cloth.
23“Her husband is known at the city gates
when he sits with the leaders of the land.
24“She makes linen garments and sells them
and delivers belts to the merchants.
25She dresses with strength and nobility,
and she smiles at the future.
26“She speaks with wisdom,
and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
27She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,
and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children and her husband
stand up and bless her.
In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
29‘Many women have done noble work,
but you have surpassed them all!’
30“Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates,
⌞but⌟ a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.
31Reward her for what she has done,
and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”
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