Proverbs 31  Common English Bible

31 The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
² No, my son!
    No, son of my womb!
    No, son of my solemn promises!
³ Don’t give your strength to women,
    your ways to those who wipe out kings.
⁴ It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,
    it isn’t for kings to drink wine,
    for rulers to crave^[a] strong drink.
⁵ Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,
    and violate the rights of the needy.
⁶ Give strong drink to those who are perishing
    and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
⁷ Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and no longer remember their toil.
⁸ Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
    and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.^[b]
9 Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
    and to defend the needy and the poor.

¹⁰ A competent wife, how does one find her?
    Her value is far above pearls.
¹¹ Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
    and with her he will have all he needs.
¹² She brings him good and not trouble
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She seeks out wool and flax;
    she works joyfully with her hands.
¹⁴ She is like a fleet of merchant ships,
    bringing food from a distance.
¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night,
    providing food for her household,
    even some for her female servants.
¹⁶ She surveys a field and acquires it;
    from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She works energetically;
    her arms are powerful.
¹⁸ She realizes that her trading is successful;
    she doesn’t put out her lamp at night.
¹⁹ She puts her hands to the spindle;
    her palms grasp the whorl.
²⁰ She reaches out to the needy;
    she stretches out her hands to the poor.
²¹ She doesn’t fear for her household when it snows,
    because they are all dressed in warm^[c] clothes.
²² She makes bedspreads for herself;
    fine linen and purple are her clothing.
²³ Her husband is known in the city gates
    when he sits with the elders of the land.
²⁴ She makes garments and sells them;
    she supplies sashes to traders.
²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing;
    she is confident about the future.
²⁶ Her mouth is full of wisdom;
    kindly teaching is on her tongue.
²⁷ She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
    she doesn’t eat the food of laziness.
²⁸ Her children bless her;
    her husband praises her:
²⁹     “Many women act competently,
    but you surpass them all!”
³⁰ Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting,
    but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
³¹ Let her share in the results of her work;
    let her deeds praise her in the city gates.