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The Proverbs

⭑ King James Version :: World English Bible Catholic ⭑

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- Chapter 31 -

Utterances of Lemuel

1
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.(a) (b)
6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.(c)
7
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.(d)
9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The virtuous spouse

10
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14
She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.(e)
17
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.(f)
19
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.(g)
21
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.(h)
22
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.(i)
30
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord , she shall be praised.
31
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Footnotes

(a)31:5 pervert: Heb. alter
(b)31:5 of any…: Heb. of all the sons of affliction
(c)31:6 of…: Heb. bitter of soul
(d)31:8 such…: Heb. the sons of destruction
(e)31:16 buyeth: Heb. taketh
(f)31:18 She…: Heb. She tasteth
(g)31:20 She…: Heb. She spreadeth
(h)31:21 scarlet: or, double garments
(i)31:29 have…: or, have gotten riches

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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