The Sayings of Lemuel
31 The words of Lemuel, a king.
An oracle[a] that his mother used, to teach him discipline:
2 What are you doing,[b] my son!
What are you doing, son from my womb!
What are you doing, son of my vows!
3 Do not give your strength to women.
Do not give your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
nor for rulers to crave beer.
5 If he does, he will drink and forget what is decreed.
He will change the legal rights of all the oppressed.
6 Give beer to someone who is perishing
and wine to one whose soul is bitter.
7 He will drink and forget his poverty,
and he will no longer remember his trouble.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak.
Speak for the rights of all those who are defenseless.
9 Speak up, judge fairly,
and defend the oppressed and needy.
The Strong Wife[c]
10 Who can find a wife with strong character?[d]
Her value is greater than that of gems.
11 Her husband’s heart trusts her,
and he never lacks wealth.[e]
12 She does good for him and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She obtains wool and flax.
She eagerly works it with her hands.
14 She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night.
She gives food[f] to her household.
She gives their share to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and acquires it.
From her own income,[g] she plants a vineyard.
17 She wraps strength around her waist like a belt,
and she makes her arms strong.
18 She realizes that she makes a good profit.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands for the distaff,
and the palms of her hands grasp the spindle.[h]
20 She opens the palm of her hand to the oppressed,
and she stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear for her household on account of snow,
because her entire household is clothed in scarlet clothing.[i]
22 She makes bedspreads for herself.
Fine linen and purple cloth are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and she delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing,
and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and kind instruction is on her tongue.
27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her household,
and she does not eat bread that she did not work for.
28 Her children rise up and bless her.
Her husband rises up and praises her:
29 “Many daughters show strong character,
but you have surpassed all of them.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is vapor that vanishes,
but a woman who fears the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her credit for the fruit of her hands,
and let her accomplishments praise her in the city gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1 The word translated an oracle may also be translated of Massa and placed with the preceding line.
- Proverbs 31:2 The Hebrew has only the single word What.
- Proverbs 31:10 This closing poem of the book is an alphabetic acrostic, which means successive verses begin with successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. This gives an impression of covering every aspect of the topic from A to Z.
- Proverbs 31:10 Literally a woman of strength. The Hebrew term for strength may refer to economic power, political power, military power, or strong character. Here the emphasis is on her economic contribution to the family, which is a reflection of her dedication to her family and her community.
- Proverbs 31:11 The Hebrew word translated wealth usually refers to loot or spoils of war, not to regular income. Perhaps it highlights her strenuous effort.
- Proverbs 31:15 The word translated food usually refers to prey torn by animals, not to food for humans.
- Proverbs 31:16 Literally the fruit of her hands
- Proverbs 31:19 Distaff and spindle are implements used in spinning thread or yarn.
- Proverbs 31:21 Or, with the ancient versions, double clothing