Proverbs 31
31
Admonitions to a King
1The words of king Lem´u-el, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son?
And what, the son of my womb?
And what, the son of my vows?
3Give not thy strength unto women,
nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lem´u-el,
it is not for kings to drink wine;
nor for princes strong drink:
5lest they drink, and forget the law,
and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb
in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Praise of a Good Woman
10Who can find a virtuous woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12She will do him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13She seeketh wool, and flax,
and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
15She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household,
and a portion to her maidens.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She girdeth her loins with strength,
and strengtheneth her arms.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19She layeth her hands to the spindle,
and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretcheth our her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and honor are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29Many daughters have done virtuously,
but thou excellest them all.
30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands;
and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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Proverbs 31: KJVAAE
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King James Version 1611, spelling, punctuation and text formatting modernized by ABS in 1962; typesetting © 2010 American Bible Society.
Proverbs 31
31
1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa,#31.1 Or King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
2What, my son? What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3Give not 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;
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the dumb,
for the rights of all who are left desolate.#31.8 Heb are sons of passing away
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
10A good 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 afar.
15She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds her loins 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 of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers girdles to the merchant.
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 blessed;
her husband also, 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 of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
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Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America