| 31:1 | The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him. |
| 31:2 | "What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers? |
| 31:3 | Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings. |
| 31:4 | "It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor. |
| 31:5 | Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people. |
| 31:6 | Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful. |
| 31:7 | Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore. |
| 31:8 | "Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed. |
| 31:9 | Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people." |
| 31:10 | "Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels. |
| 31:11 | Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good. |
| 31:12 | She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life. |
| 31:13 | "She seeks out wool and linen with care and works with willing hands. |
| 31:14 | She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away. |
| 31:15 | She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves. |
| 31:16 | "She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned. |
| 31:17 | She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy. |
| 31:18 | She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night. |
| 31:19 | "She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle. |
| 31:20 | She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people. |
| 31:21 | She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing. |
| 31:22 | She makes quilts for herself. Her clothes are made of linen and purple cloth. |
| 31:23 | "Her husband is known at the city gates when he sits with the leaders of the land. |
| 31:24 | "She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchants. |
| 31:25 | She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future. |
| 31:26 | "She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction. |
| 31:27 | She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 31:28 | Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying, |
| 31:29 | 'Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!' |
| 31:30 | "Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, but a woman who has the fear of the LORD should be praised. |
| 31:31 | Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates." |
Proverbs 31 - God's Word Translation
