Proverbs 31
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1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him.1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him:
2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer.
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter.
7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels.
11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.
12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away.
15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants.
16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.
18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.
19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy.
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.
22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.
28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her:
29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!"
30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
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The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.
Proverbs 30
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