Proverbs 31
31
The Teachings of King Lemuel’s Mother
1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? # Isa 49:15
And what, son of my vows? # 1Sa 1:11
3Do not give your strength to women, # Dt 17:17; Ne 13:26
nor your ways to those who destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
nor for kings to crave strong drink, # Pr 20:1; Ecc 10:17
5lest they drink and forget the law,
and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those who are bitter in soul; # 1Ti 5:23
7let him drink and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
8Speak out for the mute,
for the cause of all who are sons of destitution. # Ps 82:3–4
9Speak out, judge righteously, # Lev 19:15; Dt 1:16
plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Epilogue: The Virtuous Wife
10Who can find a virtuous wife? # Ru 3:11; Pr 12:4
Her worth is far above rubies.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her;
so he will have no lack of gain.
12She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax,
and willingly works with her hands.
14She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15She rises while it is yet night, # Ro 12:11
and provides food for her household,
and a portion for her servant girls. # Lk 12:42
16She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds herself with strength
and strengthens her arms. # 1Ki 18:46; 2Ki 4:29
18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable;
her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers lay hold of the spindle.
20She extends her palms to the poor
and reaches out her hands to the needy. # Job 31:16–20; Eph 4:28
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes tapestry for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple. # Ge 41:42; Pr 7:16
23Her husband is known in the city gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land. # Dt 16:18; Ru 4:1
24She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, # 1Ti 2:10
and her smile is toward the coming day.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and on her tongue is the teaching of kindness.
27She watches well over the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29“Many wives have done virtuously,
but you surpass them all.”
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the city gates.
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Proverbs 31: MEV
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The Holy Bible, Modern English Version
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