Châm Ngôn 31

The words of King Lemuel

¹The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:^{a 2}“What shall I say, my son? What, child of my womb? \q What, son of my vows? ³Do not pour out your strength on women, \q nor your life on what brings kings to ruin. ⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel, \q not for kings to drink wine, \q nor for rulers to crave strong drink, ⁵or they will drink, forget the law, \q and bend justice against everyone who suffers. ⁶Give strong drink to someone who is dying, \q and wine to those whose hearts are bitter. ⁷Let them drink and forget their poverty \q and remember their misery no more. ⁸Open your mouth for those who have no voice, \q for the cause of all who are left to perish. ⁹Speak out and judge rightly; \q take up the case of the poor and the needy.”

The capable wife

¹⁰A capable wife, who can find her? \q She is worth far more than red coral.^{b 11}Her husband trusts her completely; \q he never runs short of gain. ¹²She is good to him, never harmful, \q as long as she lives. ¹³She looks for wool and flax \q and works gladly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like a trader’s ships, \q bringing her food from far away. ¹⁵She gets up while it is still dark \q to provide food for her household \q and a share for her servant girls. ¹⁶She looks over a field and buys it; \q with what she has earned she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷She wraps herself in strength like a belt, \q and her arms are firm for the work. ¹⁸She sees that her business turns a good profit; \q her lamp stays lit at night. ¹⁹She reaches her hands to the distaff, \q and her fingers hold the spindle. ²⁰Her hand is open to the poor; \q she reaches out to help the needy. ²¹Snow holds no fear for her when she thinks of her household, \q for every one of them is dressed in scarlet.^{c 22}She makes her own bedspreads; \q her clothing is fine linen and purple. ²³Her husband is respected at the city gates, \q where he takes his seat with the elders of the land. ²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them; \q she supplies sashes to the traders. ²⁵Strength and splendor clothe her, \q and she laughs at the time to come. ²⁶Her words are wise, \q and the teaching she gives is full of loyal love. ²⁷She keeps a close watch on all that goes on in her house; \q she never eats food she has not worked for. ²⁸Her children rise and speak of her as blessed; \q her husband too gives her praise: ²⁹“Many women have shown strength and worth, \q but you rise above them all.” ³⁰Charm can deceive and beauty fades like a breath, \q but a woman who fears the LORD is the one to be praised. ³¹Give her a share of what her hands have produced, \q and let her deeds bring her praise at the city gates.