Proverbs 31 - Easy To Read Version

¹ These are the wise sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught him these things.

² You are my son. The son that I love. You are the son that I prayed to have.

³ Don’t waste your strength on women. Women destroy kings, so don’t waste yourself on them.

⁴ Lemuel, it is not wise for kings to drink wine. It is not wise for rulers to want beer.

⁵ They may drink too much and forget what the law says. Then they might take away all the rights of poor people.

⁶ Give beer to the poor people. Give wine to those people who are in trouble.

⁷ Let them drink and forget that they are poor. Let them forget all their troubles.

⁸ \{If a person can’t help himself, then you should help him.\} Speak up for a person who can’t speak! Help people who are in trouble!

⁹ Stand up for the things you know are right. And judge all people fairly. Protect the rights of poor people and people that need help.

¹⁰ {\cf2\super [41]} It is very hard to find “the perfect woman.” {\cf2\super [42]} \par But she is worth much more than jewels.\par

¹¹ Her husband depends on her.\par He will never be poor.\par

¹² She does good for her husband all her life.\par She never causes him trouble.\par

¹³ She is always gathering wool and flax\par and gladly making things with her hands.\par

¹⁴ She is like a ship from a faraway place.\par She brings food home from everywhere.\par

¹⁵ She wakes very early in the morning.\par She cooks food for her family\par and gives the servants their share.\par

¹⁶ She looks at land and buys it.\par She uses money she has earned\par and plants a vineyard.\par

¹⁷ She works very hard.\par She is strong and able to do all her work.\par

¹⁸ When she trades the things she has made,\par she always earns a profit.\par And she works until late at night.\par

¹⁹ She makes her own thread\par and weaves her own cloth.\par

²⁰ She always gives to poor people\par and helps people that need it.\par

²¹ She doesn’t worry about her family\par when it snows.\par She has given them all good, warm clothes.\par

²² She makes sheets and spreads for the beds.\par And she wears clothes of fine linen.\par

²³ People respect her husband.\par He is one of the leaders of the land.\par

²⁴ She is a very good businesswoman.\par She makes clothes and belts,\par and sells them to businessmen.\par

²⁵ She is praised {\cf2\super [43]} and people respect her.\par She looks to the future with confidence.\par

²⁶ She speaks with wisdom.\par She teaches people to be loving and kind.\par

²⁷ She is never lazy.\par She takes care of the things in her house.\par

²⁸ Her children say good things about her.\par Her husband brags about her and says,\par

²⁹ “There are many good women.\par But you are the best.”\par

³⁰ Grace and beauty can fool you.\par But a woman who respects the Lord\par should be praised.\par

³¹ Give her the reward she deserves.\par Praise her in public\par for the things she has done.\par