Proverbs 31
World English BibleTranslation
World English Bible
JPS Tanakh (Jewish Publication Society, 1917)
1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
1The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.
2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
5Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
8Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
10A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
12She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
13She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
14She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
17She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
19She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
22She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
24She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
29'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
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