Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

1 The words of King Lemuel,

a pronouncement  * 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden,* 31:1 Pr 30:1 that his mother taught him:

2 What should I say, my son?

What, son of my womb?  * 31:2 Is 49:15

What, son of my vows?

3 Don’t spend your energy  * 31:3 Pr 5:9 on women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings.  * 31:3 Dt 17:17; 1Kg 11:1; Neh 13:26

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings  * 31:4 1Kg 16:9; 20:16; Ec 10:17 to drink wine  * 31:4 Pr 20:1

or for rulers to desire beer.

5 Otherwise, he will drink,

forget what is decreed,  * 31:5 Hs 4:11

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.  * 31:5 Lit sons of affliction,* 31:5 Ps 72:1–2; Is 28:7

6 Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter.  * 31:6 Jb 3:20

7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more.  * 31:7 Ps 104:15

8 Speak up  * 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9 for those who have no voice,  * 31:8 Lit who are mute,* 31:8 Jb 29:12–17

for the justice of all who are dispossessed.  * 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away

9 Speak up, judge righteously,  * 31:9 Lv 19:15; Dt 1:16

and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.  * 31:9 Is 1:17; Jr 22:16

In Praise of a Wife of Noble Character

10 Who can find a wife of noble character?  * 31:10 Or a wife of quality, or a capable wife,* 31:10 Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4; 18:22; 19:14

She is far more precious than jewels.  * 31:10 Vv. 10–31 form an acrostic.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will not lack anything good.

12 She rewards him with good, not evil,

all the days of her life.

13 She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.  * 31:14 1Kg 10:22

15 She rises while it is still night  * 31:15 Pr 20:13

and provides food for her household

and portions  * 31:15 Or tasks for her female servants.  * 31:15 Pr 27:27; Lk 12:42

16 She evaluates a field and buys it;

she plants a vineyard with her earnings.  * 31:16 Or vineyard by her own labors,* 31:16 Mt 21:33

17 She draws on her strength  * 31:17 Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt

and reveals that her arms are strong.  * 31:17 Pr 31:25

18 She sees that her profits are good,

and her lamp never goes out at night.  * 31:18 Mt 25:8

19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,

and her hands hold the spindle.  * 31:19 Pr 31:13

20 Her hands reach  * 31:20 Lit Her hand reaches  out to the poor,

and she extends her hands to the needy.  * 31:20 Dt 15:11; Pr 22:9; 31:9; Rm 12:13; Eph 4:28

21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all in her household are doubly clothed.  * 31:21 LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet

22 She makes her own bed coverings;  * 31:22 Pr 7:16

her clothing is fine linen  * 31:22 Gn 41:42; Rv 19:8,14 and purple.  * 31:22 Jdg 8:26; Lk 16:19

23 Her husband is known at the city gates,

where he sits among the elders of the land.  * 31:23 Ru 4:1–2; Pr 24:7; 31:31

24 She makes and sells linen garments;

she delivers belts  * 31:24 Or sashes to the merchants.

25 Strength  * 31:25 Pr 31:17 and honor are her clothing,  * 31:25 1Tm 2:9–10

and she can laugh at the time to come.  * 31:25 Pr 31:21

26 Her mouth speaks wisdom,

and loving instruction  * 31:26 Or and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She watches over the activities of her household  * 31:27 Pr 31:15

and is never idle.  * 31:27 Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also praises her:

29 "Many women  * 31:29 Lit daughters have done noble deeds,

but you surpass them all! "  * 31:29 Pr 12:4; 31:10; Sg 6:8–9

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,  * 31:30 1Pt 3:3–4

but a woman who fears the  Lord will be praised.

31 Give her the reward of her labor,  * 31:31 Lit the fruit of her hands

and let her works praise her at the city gates.