Proverbs 31

Amplified Bible. Proverbs 31:1-31 [1]THE WORDS of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him: [2]What, my son? What, son of my womb? What [shall I advise you], son of my vows and dedication to God? [3]Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy kings. [4]It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink, [Eccl. 10:17; Hos. 4:11.] [5]Lest they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted. [6]Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart. [7]Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more. [8]Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless; [I Sam. 19:4; Esth. 4:16; Job 29:15, 16.] [9]Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy. [Lev. 19:15; Deut. 1:16; Job 29:12; Isa. 1:17; Jer. 22:16.] [10]A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman–who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls. [Prov. 12:4; 18:22; 19:14.] [11]The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil. [12]She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her. [13]She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it]. [14]She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country]. [15]She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks. [Job 23:12.] [16]She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.] [17]She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm. [18]She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust]. [19]She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. [20]She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit]. [21]She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet. [Josh. 2:18, 19; Heb. 9:19-22.] [22]She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made]. [Isa. 61:10; I Tim. 2:9; Rev. 3:5; 19:8, 14.] [23]Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. [Prov. 12:4.] [24]She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service]. [25]Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]! [26]She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction]. [27]She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat. [I Tim. 5:14; Tit. 2:5.] [28]Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying], [29]Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all. [30]Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised! [31]Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]! [Phil. 4:8.]