Proverbs - Chapter 31 - A Conservative Version
- The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.
- What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
- Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroys kings.
- It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is strong drink?
- Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice [due] to any who is afflicted.
- Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
- Let him drink, and forget his need, and remember his misery no more.
- Open thy mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.
- Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the poor and needy.
- A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
- The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.
- She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
- She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
- She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.
- She also rises while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and their task to her maidens.
- She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
- She girds her loins with strength, and makes strong her arms.
- She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.
- She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
- She stretches out her hand to the poor, yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
- She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
- She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
- She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers girdles to the merchant.
- Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
- She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
- She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
- Her sons rise up, and call her blessed. Her husband [also], and he praises her.
- Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excel them all.
- Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, [but] a woman who fears LORD, she shall be praised.
- Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.