Proverbs 31
31
1Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
2‘What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.
4Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.
5Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
7He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!’
10A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies [is] her price.
11The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not.
12She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.
13She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh [with] her hands.
14She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.
15Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.
16She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.
18She hath perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.
21She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.
24Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.
25Strength and honour [are] her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.
26Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27She [is] watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.
28Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,
29‘Many [are] the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.’
30The grace [is] false, and the beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.
31Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do praise her in the gates!
Currently Selected:
Proverbs 31: YLT98
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
maintained by the British and Foreign Bible Society
Proverbs 31
31
What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him
1These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
was taught by his mother.
2My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.
3Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
4Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.
5Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you mistreat the poor.
6Beer and wine are only
for the dying or for those
who have lost all hope.
7Let them drink and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.
8But you must defend
those who are helpless
and have no hope.
9Be fair and give justice
to the poor and homeless.
In Praise of a Good Wife
10A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!
11Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.
12She is good to him
every day of her life,
13and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.
14She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
from across the sea.
15She gets up before daylight
to prepare food for her family
and for her servants.#31.15 and … servants: Or “and to tell her servants what to do.”
16She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17and she always works hard.
18She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.
19She spins her own cloth,
20and she helps the poor
and the needy.
21Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn't worry
when it snows.
22She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.
23Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
in the city.
24She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.
25She is strong and graceful,#31.25 She … graceful: Or “The clothes she makes are attractive and of good quality.”
as well as cheerful
about the future.
26Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.
27She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.
28Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,
29“There are many good women,
but you are the best!”
30Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
deserves to be praised.
31Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.
Currently Selected:
:
Highlight
Share
Copy
Want to have your highlights saved across all your devices? Sign up or sign in
Contemporary English Version, Second Edition (CEV®)
© 2006 American Bible Society. All rights reserved.