31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
31:1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:

31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
31:2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
31:5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
31:7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
31:8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
31:10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
31:11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
31:13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
31:14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.

31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
31:15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
31:17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.

31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
31:20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
31:22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

31:25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
31:25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
31:27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
31:29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."

31:30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.