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.”
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 31: GW
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
GOD'S WORD® Translation ©1995, 2003, 2013, 2014, 2019, 2020 by God's Word to the Nations Mission Society. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31
31
Words of King Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2No, my son!
No, son of my womb!
No, son of my solemn promises!
3Don’t give your strength to women,
your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,
it isn’t for kings to drink wine,
for rulers to crave#31.4 Or where or or strong drink.
5Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,
and violate the rights of the needy.
6Give strong drink to those who are perishing
and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7Let them drink and forget their poverty
and no longer remember their toil.
8Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.#31.8 Or all children who are passing away
9Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor.
The competent wife
10A competent wife, how does one find her?
Her value is far above pearls.
11Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
and with her he will have all he needs.
12She brings him good and not trouble
all the days of her life.
13She seeks out wool and flax;
she works joyfully with her hands.
14She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
bringing food from a distance.
15She gets up while it is still night,
providing food for her household,
even some for her female servants.
16She surveys a field and acquires it;
from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17She works energetically;
her arms are powerful.
18She realizes that her trading is successful;
she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.
19She puts her hands to the spindle;
her palms grasp the whorl.
20She reaches out to the needy;
she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
because they are all dressed in warm#31.21 LXX; MT red clothes.
22She makes bedspreads for herself;
fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23Her husband is known in the city gates
when he sits with the elders of the land.
24She makes garments and sells them;
she supplies sashes to traders.
25Strength and honor are her clothing;
she is confident about the future.
26Her mouth is full of wisdom;
kindly teaching is on her tongue.
27She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
28Her children bless her;
her husband praises her:
29“Many women act competently,
but you surpass them all!”
30Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Let her share in the results of her work;
let her deeds praise her in the city gates.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
2011 Common English Bible. All rights reserved.