THE
PROVERBS

Proverbs 31 ©

Lemuel’s lesson concerning the modesty and sobriety of kings, v.1, etc. Of comforting and assisting those who are grieved and afflicted, 6, etc. The praise and properties of a virtuous wife, 10, etc.

1

THE words 1of king 2Lemuel, the 3prophecy that 4his mother 5taught him.

2

6What, my son? and what, the son of 7my womb? and what, the son of 8my vows?

3

Give not thy 9strength unto women,a nor 10thy ways 11to that which destroyeth kings.

4

12It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink 13wine; 14nor for princes strong drink:

5

Lest 15they drink, and forget the 16law, and pervert the judgment of any of the 17afflicted.

6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to 18perish, and wine unto those that be of 19heavy hearts.

7

Let 20him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8

21Open thy mouth for the 22dumb in the cause of 23all such as are appointed to destruction.

9

Open thy mouth, 24judgeb righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10

25Who can find ac26virtuous woman? for her price is far above 27rubies.

11

The heart of her 28husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of 29spoil.

12

She 30will do him good 31and not evil all the days of her life.

13

She seeketh wool, and flax, and 32worketh 33willingly with her hands.

14

She is 34like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her 35food 36from afar.

15

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth 37meat to her 38household, and a 39portion to her maidens.

16

She 40considereth a field, and 41buyeth it: with the 42fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17

43She girdeth her loins with strength, and 44strengtheneth her arms.

18

She 45perceiveth that her merchandise is 46good: 47her candle goeth not out by night.

19

She layeth her hands to 48the spindle, and her hands 49hold the distaff.d

20

She 50stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21

She is not afraid of the 51snow for her 52household: for all her household are clothed with 53scarlet.

22

She maketh herself 54coverings of tapestry; her clothing is 55silk and 56purple.

23

Her husband is known in the 57gates, when he sitteth among the 58elders of the land.

24

She maketh 59fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth 60girdles unto the 61merchant.

25

62Strength and 63honour are 64her clothing; and 65she shall rejoice 66in time to come.

26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the 67law of kindness.

27

She looketh well to the 68ways of her household, and eateth not the bread 69of idleness.

28

Her 70children 71arise up, and call her blessed; 72her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29

73Many 74daughters have done 75virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30

76Favour is 77deceitful, and beauty is 78vain: but a 79woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31

80Give her of 81the fruit of her 82hands; and let her own works praise her 83in the gates.