Proverbs 31 - Modern English Version

The Teachings of King Lemuel’s Mother

¹ The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

² What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

³ Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to those who destroy kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for kings to crave strong drink,

⁵ lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

⁶ Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitter in soul;

⁷ let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

⁸ Speak out for the mute, for the cause of all who are sons of destitution.

⁹ Speak out, judge righteously, plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Epilogue: The Virtuous Wife

¹⁰ Who can find a virtuous wife? Her worth is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her; so he will have no lack of gain.

¹² She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

¹³ She seeks wool and flax, and willingly works with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

¹⁵ She rises while it is yet night, and provides food for her household, and a portion for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girds herself with strength and strengthens her arms.

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers lay hold of the spindle.

²⁰ She extends her palms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

²² She makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the city gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing, and her smile is toward the coming day.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the teaching of kindness.

²⁷ She watches well over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her 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.”

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.