Proverbs 31
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Holman Christian Standard BibleNET Bible
1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.
6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. 10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain.
12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. 12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. 13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.
16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.
17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.
18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.
19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.
20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.
24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:" 28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her:
29Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!"
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.NET Bible copyright © 1996-2006 by Biblical Studies Press, L.L.C. //netbible.com. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
Proverbs 30
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