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The Proverbs

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- Chapter 31 -

Utterances of Lemuel

1
THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL: The prophecie which his mother taught him.
2
What my sonne! and what ye sonne of my wombe! and what, O sonne of my desires!
3
Giue not thy strength vnto women, nor thy wayes, which is to destroy Kings.
4
It is not for Kings, O Lemuel, it is not for Kings to drink wine nor for princes strog drinke,
5
Lest he drinke and forget the decree, and change the iudgement of all the children of affliction.
6
Giue ye strong drinke vnto him that is readie to perish, and wine vnto them that haue griefe of heart.
7
Let him drinke, that he may forget his pouertie, and remember his miserie no more.
8
Open thy mouth for the domme in the cause of all the children of destruction.
9
Open thy mouth: iudge righteously, and iudge the afflicted, and the poore.

The virtuous spouse

10
Who shall finde a vertuous woman? for her price is farre aboue the pearles.
11
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall haue no neede of spoyle.
12
She will doe him good, and not euill all the dayes of her life.
13
She seeketh wooll and flaxe, and laboureth cheerefully with her handes.
14
She is like the shippes of marchants: shee bringeth her foode from afarre.
15
And she riseth, whiles it is yet night: and giueth the portion to her houshold, and the ordinarie to her maides.
16
She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde.
17
She girdeth her loynes with strength, and strengtheneth her armes.
18
She feeleth that her marchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night.
19
She putteth her handes to the wherue, and her handes handle the spindle.
20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poore, and putteth foorth her hands to the needie.
21
She feareth not the snowe for her familie: for all her familie is clothed with skarlet.
22
She maketh her selfe carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.
23
Her husband is knowen in the gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.
24
She maketh sheetes, and selleth them, and giueth girdels vnto the marchant.
25
Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce.
26
She openeth her mouth with wisdome, and the lawe of grace is in her tongue.
27
She ouerseeth the wayes of her housholde, and eateth not the bread of ydlenes.
28
Her children rise vp, and call her blessed: her husband also shall prayse her, saying,
29
Many daughters haue done vertuously: but thou surmountest them all.
30
Fauour is deceitfull, and beautie is vanitie: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praysed.
31
Giue her of the fruite of her hands, and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates.

Utterances of Lemuel

1
The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
2
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8
Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
9
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

The virtuous spouse

10
(a) Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
11
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
14
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
16
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
17
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
19
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
27
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
28
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
30
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Footnotes

(a)31:10 Proverbs 31:10 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.
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