VerseAI

NIV

Proverbs 31

  1. 1<pb/>The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
  2. 2<pb/><t>Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!</t> <t>Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!</t>
  3. 3<t>Do not spend your strength<f>[52]</f> on women,</t> <t>your vigor on those who ruin kings. <pb/></t>
  4. 4<t>It is not for kings, Lemuel—</t> <t>it is not for kings to drink wine,</t> <t>not for rulers to crave beer,</t>
  5. 5<t>lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,</t> <t>and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.</t>
  6. 6<t>Let beer be for those who are perishing,</t> <t>wine for those who are in anguish!</t>
  7. 7<t>Let them drink and forget their poverty</t> <t>and remember their misery no more. <pb/></t>
  8. 8<t>Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,</t> <t>for the rights of all who are destitute.</t>
  9. 9<t>Speak up and judge fairly;</t> <t>defend the rights of the poor and needy.</t>
  10. 10<t><f>[53]</f>A wife of noble character who can find?</t> <t>She is worth far more than rubies.</t>
  11. 11<t>Her husband has full confidence in her</t> <t>and lacks nothing of value.</t>
  12. 12<t>She brings him good, not harm,</t> <t>all the days of her life.</t>
  13. 13<t>She selects wool and flax</t> <t>and works with eager hands.</t>
  14. 14<t>She is like the merchant ships,</t> <t>bringing her food from afar.</t>
  15. 15<t>She gets up while it is still night;</t> <t>she provides food for her family</t> <t>and portions for her female servants.</t>
  16. 16<t>She considers a field and buys it;</t> <t>out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.</t>
  17. 17<t>She sets about her work vigorously;</t> <t>her arms are strong for her tasks.</t>
  18. 18<t>She sees that her trading is profitable,</t> <t>and her lamp does not go out at night.</t>
  19. 19<t>In her hand she holds the distaff</t> <t>and grasps the spindle with her fingers.</t>
  20. 20<t>She opens her arms to the poor</t> <t>and extends her hands to the needy.</t>
  21. 21<t>When it snows, she has no fear for her household;</t> <t>for all of them are clothed in scarlet.</t>
  22. 22<t>She makes coverings for her bed;</t> <t>she is clothed in fine linen and purple.</t>
  23. 23<t>Her husband is respected at the city gate,</t> <t>where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.</t>
  24. 24<t>She makes linen garments and sells them,</t> <t>and supplies the merchants with sashes.</t>
  25. 25<t>She is clothed with strength and dignity;</t> <t>she can laugh at the days to come.</t>
  26. 26<t>She speaks with wisdom,</t> <t>and faithful instruction is on her tongue.</t>
  27. 27<t>She watches over the affairs of her household</t> <t>and does not eat the bread of idleness.</t>
  28. 28<t>Her children arise and call her blessed;</t> <t>her husband also, and he praises her:</t>
  29. 29<t>“Many women do noble things,</t> <t>but you surpass them all.”</t>
  30. 30<t>Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;</t> <t>but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.</t>
  31. 31<t>Honor her for all that her hands have done,</t> <t>and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.</t>