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Proverbs 31
New International Version
Proverbs 31
New International Version
Sayings of King Lemuel
31 The sayings(A) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!(B)
3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.(C)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(D)
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink(E) and forget what has been decreed,(F)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(G) for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink(H) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak(I) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.(J)
Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character
10 [b]A wife of noble character(K) who can find?(L)
She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband(M) has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.(N)
12 She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.(O)
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.(P)
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders(Q) of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity;
she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom,
and faithful instruction is on her tongue.(R)
27 She watches over the affairs of her household
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done,
and let her works bring her praise(S) at the city gate.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
- Proverbs 31:10 Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
Proverbs 31
International Standard Version
Proverbs 31
International Standard Version
Counsel from King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of King Lemuel—
a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.
2 No,[a] my son!
No,[b] my son whom I conceived![c]
No,[d] my son to whom I gave birth![e]
3 Never devote all your energy to sex,[f]
or dedicate your life[g] to destroying kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
Not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire liquor.
5 Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained,
perverting justice for all the oppressed.
6 Give liquor to someone who is perishing,
and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.[h]
7 Let him drink, forget his poverty,
and remember his troubles no more.
8 Speak for those who cannot speak;
seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.[i]
9 Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
The Honorable Woman
10 Who can find a capable wife?
Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her;
as a result, he lacks nothing of value.
12 She will bring good to him—never evil—
every day of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax,
working with eager hands.
14 She is like a seagoing ship
that brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is still night,
preparing meals for her family
and providing for her women servants.
16 She evaluates a field and purchases it;
from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.
17 She clothes herself with fortitude,
and fortifies her arms with strength.
18 She is confident that her profits are sufficient.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She works with her own hands on her clothes[j]—
her hands work the sewing spindle.
20 She reaches out to the poor,
opening her hands to those in need.
21 She is unafraid of winter’s effect on[k] her household,
because all of them are warmly clothed.[l]
22 She creates her own bedding,
using fine linen and violet cloth.
23 Her husband is well known;[m]
he sits among the leaders of the land.
24 She designs and sells linen garments,
supplying accessories[n] to clothiers.
25 Strength and dignity are her garments;
she smiles about the future.
26 She speaks wisely,
teaching with gracious love.
27 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household,
and she is never lazy.[o]
28 Her children stand up and encourage her,
as does her husband, who praises her:
29 “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says,[p]
“but you surpass all of them!”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades;
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Reward her for her work—
let her actions result in public praise.[q]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Lit. son of my womb?
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Lit. son of my vows
- Proverbs 31:3 Lit. women
- Proverbs 31:3 Lit. ways
- Proverbs 31:6 Lit. one whose soul is bitter
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit. all sons of destruction
- Proverbs 31:19 Lit. staff
- Proverbs 31:21 Lit. of the snow for
- Proverbs 31:21 Lit. are clothed in red
- Proverbs 31:23 Lit. is known in the gates
- Proverbs 31:24 Or belts
- Proverbs 31:27 Lit. she does not eat the food of laziness
- Proverbs 31:29 The Heb. lacks he says
- Proverbs 31:31 Lit. in praise in the gates
New International Version (NIV) 
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NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
International Standard Version (ISV) 
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