Proverbs

The Proverbs, chapter 31, New English Translation and King James Version

Chapter 31 New English Translation

The Words of Lemuel

   1 The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
   2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
   3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.
   4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
   5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.
   6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
   7 let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
   8 Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
   9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The Wife of Noble Character

   10 Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.
   11 The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain.
   12 She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.
   13 She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.
   14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
   15 She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.
   16 She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.
   17 She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.
   18 She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.
   19 Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
   20 She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.
   21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.
   22 She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
   23 Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.
   24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
   25 She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.
   26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
   27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
   28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her:
   29 "Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!"
   30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
   31 Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

King James Version

   1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
   2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
   3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
   4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
   5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
   6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
   7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
   8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
   9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
   10 ¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
   11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
   12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
   13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
   14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
   15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
   16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
   17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
   18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
   19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
   20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
   21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
   22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
   23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
   24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
   25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
   26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
   27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
   28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
   29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
   30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
   31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.