Proverbs 31
Sayings of King Lemuel
The sayings that come from King Lemuel's tongue,
the oracle taught by his mother, when young:
Son, what should I tell you? Son, what could I share?
Oh, son of my womb, you're my answer to prayer.
Do not spend your vigor on women and things,
or ways that would ruin and sabotage kings.
It isn't for kings to drink wine, Lemuel,
nor is it for rulers to crave beer, as well,
lest by their drink they forget what they decreed,
perverting the justice of people in need.
Give beer to the ones who are ready to die,
and wine to those bitter of life, asking why.
Let both of them drink to forget they are poor,
and let them remember their troubles no more.
Speak out for the justice of those with no voice,
speak up for the victims without any choice.
Speak out and judge fairly the poor and the meek,
speak up and defend both the homeless and weak.
The sayings that come from King Lemuel's tongue,
the oracle taught by his mother, when young:
Son, what should I tell you? Son, what could I share?
Oh, son of my womb, you're my answer to prayer.
Do not spend your vigor on women and things,
or ways that would ruin and sabotage kings.
It isn't for kings to drink wine, Lemuel,
nor is it for rulers to crave beer, as well,
lest by their drink they forget what they decreed,
perverting the justice of people in need.
Give beer to the ones who are ready to die,
and wine to those bitter of life, asking why.
Let both of them drink to forget they are poor,
and let them remember their troubles no more.
Speak out for the justice of those with no voice,
speak up for the victims without any choice.
Speak out and judge fairly the poor and the meek,
speak up and defend both the homeless and weak.
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
An excellent, virtuous wife, who can find?
For she's far more precious than any jewels mined.
The heart of her husband has full faith in her,
and he will have no lack of gain, to be sure.
She always gives to him her good, as his wife,
and never gives evil the whole of her life.
She seeks wool and flax with her other demands,
and willingly weaves with her diligent hands.
Like ships of the merchants that chart the North Star,
she brings in the food to her home from afar.
She rises in darkness, before the night fades,
preparing the meals for her household and maids.
She'll purchase a field she beheld and discerned,
and plant there a vineyard from profits she's earned.
She gathers her strength with her sheer fortitude,
and strengthens her arms for the work she's pursued.
She sees her investments have brought good returns,
and deep in the darkness her lamp light still burns.
Her left hand that's holding the distaff is tight,
the spindle is gently now grasped in her right.
She opens her arms to the wretched and poor,
extending her hands to the ones needing more.
She is not afraid when it threatens or snows,
for all in her household are wearing warm clothes.
She makes her own tapestry spread on her bed,
her silk robes of purple are sewn with fine thread.
Her husband is known at the walled city gate,
where he sits with elders and men who are great.
She makes linen garments and fine clothes to sell,
delivering sashes to merchants as well.
She's clothed with a quiet yet strong dignity,
she laughs without fear of the days yet to be.
She opens her mouth and her wisdom is heard,
her kindness and grace is contained in each word.
She'll manage her household and day-to-day stress,
and she won't eat bread baked in pure idleness.
Her children rise up to call their mother blest,
her husband, as well, with her praise will attest:
Earth's daughters are many and many do well,
but you, above all of those women, excel!
For charm is deceptive, and beauty, a phase,
a woman who honors the LORD shall they praise.
Reward her for all she has done with her hand,
and let her be publicly praised through the land.
An excellent, virtuous wife, who can find?
For she's far more precious than any jewels mined.
The heart of her husband has full faith in her,
and he will have no lack of gain, to be sure.
She always gives to him her good, as his wife,
and never gives evil the whole of her life.
She seeks wool and flax with her other demands,
and willingly weaves with her diligent hands.
Like ships of the merchants that chart the North Star,
she brings in the food to her home from afar.
She rises in darkness, before the night fades,
preparing the meals for her household and maids.
She'll purchase a field she beheld and discerned,
and plant there a vineyard from profits she's earned.
She gathers her strength with her sheer fortitude,
and strengthens her arms for the work she's pursued.
She sees her investments have brought good returns,
and deep in the darkness her lamp light still burns.
Her left hand that's holding the distaff is tight,
the spindle is gently now grasped in her right.
She opens her arms to the wretched and poor,
extending her hands to the ones needing more.
She is not afraid when it threatens or snows,
for all in her household are wearing warm clothes.
She makes her own tapestry spread on her bed,
her silk robes of purple are sewn with fine thread.
Her husband is known at the walled city gate,
where he sits with elders and men who are great.
She makes linen garments and fine clothes to sell,
delivering sashes to merchants as well.
She's clothed with a quiet yet strong dignity,
she laughs without fear of the days yet to be.
She opens her mouth and her wisdom is heard,
her kindness and grace is contained in each word.
She'll manage her household and day-to-day stress,
and she won't eat bread baked in pure idleness.
Her children rise up to call their mother blest,
her husband, as well, with her praise will attest:
Earth's daughters are many and many do well,
but you, above all of those women, excel!
For charm is deceptive, and beauty, a phase,
a woman who honors the LORD shall they praise.
Reward her for all she has done with her hand,
and let her be publicly praised through the land.
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