Proverbs 31:1-12 ▼

1 The wordes of king Lamuel, and the lesson that his mother taught him.

2 What my sonne? what the sonne of my body? and what O my deare beloued sonne?

3 Geue not ouer thy strength & wayes vnto women, which are the destruction euen of kynges.

4 O Lamuel, it is not for kynges, it is not I say for kynges to drynke wine, nor princes strong drynke.

5 Lest they by drnkyng forget the lawe, and peruert the iudgement of all poore mens children.

6 Geue strong drynke vnto such as are redy to perishe, and wine vnto those that mourne:

7 That they may drynke it, and forget their miserie and aduersitie.

8 Be thou an aduocate for the dumbe, to speake in the cause of all such as be succourlesse in this transitorie worlde.

9 Open thy mouth, defende the thyng that is lawfull and ryght, and the cause of the poore and helpelesse.

10 Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles.

11 The heart of her husbande may safely trust in her, so that he shall fall into no pouertie.

12 She wyll do hym good, and not euill, all the dayes of her lyfe.