1 The sayings of King Lemuel-an oracle1 31:1 Or of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him: |
2 "O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows,2 31:2 Or / the answer to my prayers |
3 do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-
not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer, |
5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
6 Give beer to those who are perishing,
wine to those who are in anguish; |
7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more. |
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute. |
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character |
10 3 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic, each verse beginning with A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies. |
11 Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value. |
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life. |
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands. |
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar. |
15 She gets up while it is still dark;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her servant girls. |
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks. |
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night. |
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy. |
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come. |
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her: |
29 "Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all." |
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
31 Give her the reward she has earned,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
