Shared Word Translation

Proverbs 31

The Words of King Lemuel

The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle
that his mother taught him: What, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows? Do not give your strength
to women,
or your ways
to those who destroy kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers
to desire strong drink, lest they drink
and forget what is decreed
and distort the rights
of all the afflicted.

Speak for Those Without a Voice

Give strong drink
to the one who is perishing
and wine
to those bitter in life. Let them drink
and forget their poverty
and remember their misery
no more. Open your mouth
for those without a voice,
for the rights
of all who are passing away. Open your mouth;
judge with righteousness;
defend the rights
of the poor and needy.

A Woman of Strength

A woman of strength—
who can find?
Her worth
is far beyond jewels. The heart of her husband
trusts in her,
and he will not lack
gain. She does him good
and not harm
all the days
of her life. She seeks wool and flax
and works
with willing hands. She is like
merchant ships;
she brings her food
from far away.

She rises
while it is still night
and gives food
to her household
and portions
to her servants. She considers a field
and buys it;
from the fruit of her hands
she plants a vineyard. She girds herself
with strength
and makes
her arms strong. She perceives
that her merchandise is good;
her lamp does not go out
at night.

She reaches her hands
to the distaff,
and her palms
hold the spindle. She opens her palm
to the poor
and reaches out her hands
to the needy. She does not fear snow
for her household,
for all her household
are clothed in scarlet. She makes coverings
for herself;
fine linen and purple
are her clothing.

Strength and Dignity

Her husband is known
at the city gates
when he sits
with the elders of the land. She makes linen garments
and sells them
and supplies belts
to the merchant. Strength and dignity
are her clothing,
and she laughs
at the days to come. She opens her mouth
with wisdom,
and the instruction
of steadfast love
is on her tongue. She watches carefully
over the ways of her household
and does not eat
the bread of idleness.

A Woman Who Fears the LORD

Her children rise
and call her blessed;
her husband also,
and he praises her: “Many daughters
have acted with strength,
but you surpass
them all.” Charm is deceptive,
and beauty is fleeting,
but a woman who fears the LORD
is to be praised. Give her
from the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her
at the gates.