Proverbs 31
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1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. 3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, 4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life. 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants. 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. 23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her: 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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Proverbs 30
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