Proverbs
31 The words of Lemuel the king,—The strain which was taught him by his mother:—
2 What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? Aye what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give to women thy strength, Nor thy ways to them who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for dignitaries to desire strong drink,
5 Lest he drink and forget that which is decreed, And alter the plea of any who are sorely oppressed.
6 Give strong drink to him that is perishing, And wine to such as are embittered in soul:
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And his wearying toil let him remember no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the cause of all the children of the departed.
9 Open thy mouth—judge righteously,—And administer justice for the poor and the needy.
א
10 A virtuous woman who can find? For far beyond corals is her worth.
ב
11 The heart of her husband trusteth her, And gain he shall not lack:
ג
12 She doeth him good and not evil, All the days of her life:
ד
13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands:
ה
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her food;
ו
15 And she riseth while yet it is night, And giveth food to her household, And a task to her maidens:
ז
16 She considereth a field and procureth it, Out of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard:
ח
17 She girdeth with strength her loins, And putteth vigour into her arms:
ט
18 She tasteth whether good be her merchandise, And her lamp goeth not out by night:
י
19 Her hands she putteth forth to the distaff, And her palms lay hold of the spindle:
כ
20 Her palm she spreadeth out to the oppressed, And her hands she extendeth to the needy:
ל
21 She feareth not for her household because of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson:
מ
22 Coverlets she maketh for herself, Of white linen and of purple is her clothing:
נ
23 Known in the gates is her husband, When he sitteth with the elders of the land:
ס
24 Fine linen wraps she maketh and selleth, And girdles doth she deliver to the trader:
ע
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she laugheth at the time to come:
פ
26 Her mouth she openeth with wisdom, And the instruction of kindness is on her tongue:
צ
27 She looketh well to the goings of her household, And the bread of idleness will she not eat.
ק
28 Her children rise up and call her happy! Her husband, and he praiseth her:—
ר
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, But thou excellest them all!
ש
30 Deceitful is loveliness and vain is beauty, The woman that revereth Yahweh she shall be praised:
ת
31 Give her of the fruit of her own hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.