Proverbs 31
31
The Words of Lemuel
1The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle # Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden # Pr 30:1 that his mother taught him:
2What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb? # Is 49:15
What, son of my vows?
3Don’t spend your energy # Pr 5:9 on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings. # Dt 17:17; 1Kg 11:1; Neh 13:26
4It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings # 1Kg 16:9; 20:16; Ec 10:17 to drink wine # Pr 20:1
or for rulers to desire beer.
5Otherwise, they # Lit he will drink,
forget what is decreed, # Hs 4:11
and pervert justice for all the oppressed. # Lit sons of affliction # Ps 72:1-2; Is 28:7
6Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter. # Jb 3:20
7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more. # Ps 104:15
8Speak up # Lit Open your mouth for those who have no voice, # Lit who are mute # Jb 29:12-17
for the justice of all who are dispossessed. # Lit all the sons of passing away
9Speak up, # Lit Open your mouth judge righteously, # Lv 19:15; Dt 1:16
and defend the cause of # Lit and justice for the oppressed and needy. # Is 1:17; Jr 22:16
In Praise of a Capable Wife
10Who can find a capable wife? # Or a wife of quality, or a wife of noble character # Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4; 18:22; 19:14
She is far more precious than jewels. # Vv. 10-31 form an acrostic.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away. # 1Kg 10:22
15She rises while it is still night # Pr 20:13
and provides food for her household
and portions # Or tasks for her female servants. # Pr 27:27; Lk 12:42
16She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings. # Or vineyard by her own labors # Mt 21:33
17She draws on her strength # Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
and reveals that her arms are strong. # Pr 31:25
18She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night. # Mt 25:8
19She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle. # Pr 31:13
20Her hands reach # Lit Her hand reaches out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy. # Dt 15:11; Pr 22:9; 31:9; Rm 12:13; Eph 4:28
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed. # LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
22She makes her own bed coverings; # Pr 7:16
her clothing is fine linen # Gn 41:42; Rv 19:8,14 and purple. # Jdg 8:26; Lk 16:19
23Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land. # Ru 4:1-2; Pr 24:7; 31:31
24She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts # Or sashes to the merchants.
25Strength # Pr 31:17 and honor are her clothing, # 1Tm 2:9-10
and she can laugh at the time to come. # Pr 31:21
26She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction # Or and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches over the activities of her household # Pr 31:15
and is never idle. # Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
28Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29“Many women # Lit daughters are capable,
but you surpass them all! ” # Pr 12:4; 31:10; Sg 6:8-9
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, # 1Pt 3:3-4
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31Give her the reward of her labor, # Lit the fruit of her hands
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 31: HCSB
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
© 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville, Tennessee. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 31
31
A Mother’s Warning
1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3do not give your vigor to women, or your ways to what ruins kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5lest they drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6Give strong drink to one who is dying, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed—
7let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the justice of all who are destitute.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, plead the cause of the poor and needy.
A Woman of Valor
10An accomplished woman who can find? Her value is far beyond rubies.
11Her husband’s heart trusts in her, and he lacks nothing valuable.
12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and her hands work willingly.
14She is like merchant ships, bringing her sustenance from afar.
15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servant girls.
16She considers a field and buys it. From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength and invigorates her arms.
18She discerns that her business is good. Her lamp never goes out at night.
19She extends her hands to the spindle and her palm grasps the spinning wheel.
20She spreads out her palms to the poor, and extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of snow for her house, for her whole household is clothed in scarlet wool.
22She makes her own luxurious coverings. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected at the city gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them and supplies sashes to the merchants.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom— a lesson of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise and bless her, her husband also praises her:
29“Many daughters have excelled, but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Adonai will be praised.
31Give her the fruit of her hands. Let her deeds be her praise at the gates.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Copyright © 2014 - Messianic Jewish Family Bible Society