Book of Proverbs, Chapter 31
Proverbs 31 ASV - American Standard VersionChapter 31 of Proverbs—American Standard Version (ASV)
- ¶ [a]1The words of king Lemuel; the [b]oracle which his mother taught him.
- ¶ What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
¶ And what, O son of my vows? - ¶ Give not thy strength unto women,
¶ Nor thy ways to [c]that which destroyeth kings. - ¶ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
¶ Nor for princes [d]to say, Where is strong drink? - ¶ Lest they drink, and forget [e]the law,
¶ And pervert the justice due to [f]any that is afflicted. - ¶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
¶ And wine unto the bitter in soul: - ¶ Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
¶ And remember his misery no more. - ¶ Open thy mouth for the dumb,
¶ In the cause of all such as are [g]left desolate. - ¶ Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
¶ And minister justice to the poor and needy. - ¶ A worthy woman who can find?
¶ For her price is far above rubies. - ¶ The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
¶ And he shall have no lack of [h]gain. - ¶ She doeth him good and not evil
¶ All the days of her life. - ¶ She seeketh wool and flax,
¶ And worketh [i]willingly with her hands. - ¶ She is like the merchant-ships;
¶ She bringeth her bread from afar. - ¶ She riseth also while it is yet night,
¶ And giveth food to her household,
¶ And their [j]task to her maidens. - ¶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
¶ With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. - ¶ She girdeth her loins with strength,
¶ And maketh strong her arms. - ¶ She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable;
¶ Her lamp goeth not out by night. - ¶ She layeth her hands to the distaff,
¶ And her [k]hands hold the spindle. - ¶ She stretcheth out her [l]hand to the poor;
¶ Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. - ¶ She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
¶ For all her household are clothed with scarlet. - ¶ She maketh for herself [m]carpets of tapestry;
¶ Her clothing is fine linen and purple. - ¶ Her husband is known in the gates,
¶ When he sitteth among the elders of the land. - ¶ She maketh linen garments and selleth them,
¶ And delivereth girdles unto the [n]merchant. - ¶ Strength and dignity are her clothing;
¶ And she laugheth at the time to come. - ¶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
¶ And the [o]law of kindness is on her tongue. - ¶ She looketh well to the ways of her household,
¶ And eateth not the bread of idleness. - ¶ Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
¶ Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying: - ¶ Many daughters have done worthily,
¶ But thou excellest them all. - ¶ Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
¶ But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. - ¶ Give her of the fruit of her hands;
¶ And let her works praise her in the gates.
FOOTNOTES
- ^ Or, The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which etc. See 30:1 margin.
- ^ Or, burden
- ^ Or, as otherwise read, them that destroy
- ^ Another reading is, to desire strong drink.
- ^ Hebrew that which is decreed.
- ^ Hebrew all the sons of affliction.
- ^ Or, ready to pass away. Hebrew the sons of passing away.
- ^ Hebrew spoil.
- ^ Or, at the business of
- ^ Or, portion
- ^ Hebrew palms.
- ^ Hebrew palm.
- ^ Or, cushio
- ^ Hebrew Canaanite.
- ^ Or, teaching
REFERENCES
- ^ Pr 30:1
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