| Chapter 31 |
1 |
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother. -
|
2 |
What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? -
|
3 |
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. -
|
4 |
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? -
|
5 |
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble. -
|
6 |
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter: -
|
7 |
Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. -
|
8 |
Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death. -
|
9 |
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. -
|
10 |
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels. -
|
11 |
The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure. -
|
12 |
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. -
|
13 |
She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands. -
|
14 |
She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away. -
|
15 |
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls. -
|
16 |
After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work. -
|
17 |
She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong. -
|
18 |
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night. -
|
19 |
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. -
|
20 |
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. -
|
21 |
She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red. -
|
22 |
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple. -
|
23 |
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. -
|
24 |
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price. -
|
25 |
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile. -
|
26 |
Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue. -
|
27 |
She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it. -
|
28 |
Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying, -
|
29 |
Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them. -
|
30 |
Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised. -
|
31 |
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place. -
|