Proverbs 31:3-29
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 31
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. 20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29'Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.'King James Version
Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 31
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. 20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. 22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. 26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. 27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: 29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!"New Living Translation
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.
16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
English Standard Version
Chapter 31
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. 20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."New International Version
Chapter 31
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.
20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
New King James Version
