Proverbs 31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

1These are the words of King Lemuel. His mother taught him this message.

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

2She said, "What shall I tell you, my son? You are my own child. I promised you to God."

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

3Do not spend your strength on women. Do not live the way that ruins kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

4Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel. Rulers should not crave strong drink.

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

5If they drink, they may forget the law. Then they may treat hurting people unfairly.

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

6Give strong drink to someone who is dying. Give wine to people who feel very sad.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

7Let him drink and forget how poor he is. Let him stop thinking about his pain.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

8Speak up for people who have no voice. Speak for those who are about to lose everything.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

9Speak up and judge fairly. Stand up for poor people and people in need.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

10Who can find a wife with strong, good character? She is worth far more than jewels.

NoteThe King James Bible says "a virtuous woman." That sounds like it means only "well behaved." The word really means capable and strong, like a woman of great worth.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

11Her husband trusts her with his whole heart. Because of her, he lacks nothing he needs.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

12She does him good and never harm. She is like this her whole life.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

13She picks out wool and flax, a plant used to make cloth. She works gladly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

14She is like the trading ships. She brings her food from far away.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

15She gets up while it is still dark. She makes food for her family and the women who work for her.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

16She looks a field over and buys it. With money she earned, she plants a grape garden.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

17She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

18She sees that what she makes sells well. Her lamp keeps burning late into the night.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

19Her hands take up the spinning tools. She twists wool into thread.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

20She opens her arms to poor people. She reaches out her hands to people in need.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

21When snow comes, she is not afraid for her family. They all have warm red clothes.

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

22She makes covers for her bed. Her own clothes are fine linen dyed purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

23Her husband is well known at the city gate. He sits there with the leaders of the land.

NoteThe city gate was the open space where the town leaders met. People went there to settle arguments and make decisions.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

24She makes linen clothes and sells them. She sells belts to traders.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

25She is strong, and people respect her. She can smile about the days ahead.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

26She speaks with wisdom. Her words teach people kindly.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

27She watches over everything her family does. She does not sit around doing nothing.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

28Her children stand up and say she is blessed. Her husband praises her too.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

29He says, "Many women do fine things. But you are better than all of them."

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

30Charm can fool you. Beauty does not last. But a woman who honors the LORD should be praised.

NoteThe King James Bible says "favour." Here it means charm, the way a person can be pleasing on the outside.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

31Give her the reward her work has earned. Let her work be praised where everyone can hear.