Proverbs 31:1-19
New American Standard Bible
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink,
5Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the needy.
6Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.
8Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and linen, And works with her hands in delight.
14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
15And she rises while it is still night And gives food to her household, And portions to her attendants.
16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She surrounds her waist with strength And makes her arms strong.
18She senses that her profit is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 31
1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him: 2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? 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 or for rulers to desire beer. 5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. 10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. 12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. 13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. 15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. 16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. 17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. 18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. 19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle.New Living Translation
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
English Standard Version
2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
New International Version
3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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 has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
New King James Version
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
16She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
18She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
