31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
31:1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.

31:2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
31:2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes (to say), Where is strong drink?
31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice (due) to any that is afflicted.
31:5 Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
31:7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.

31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
31:8 Open your mouth for the dumb, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

31:10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

31:11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

31:12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

31:13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
31:13 She looks for wool and flax, And works with her hands in delight.

31:14 She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
31:14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
31:15 She rises also while it is still night, And gives food to her household, And portions to her maidens.

31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
31:17 She girds herself with strength, And makes her arms strong.

31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
31:18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

31:19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
31:20 She extends her hand to the poor; And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
31:24 She makes linen garments and sells [them,] And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband (also), and he praiseth her, (saying):
31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband [also,] and he praises her, [saying:]

31:29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

31:30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; (But) a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, [But] a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
31:31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.