Proverbs 31:8
King James Version
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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Proverbs 31:8
Holman Christian Standard Bible
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit Open your mouth
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit who are mute
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
Proverbs 31:8
American Standard Version
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb,
In the cause of all such as are [a]left desolate.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:8 Or, ready to pass away. Hebrew the sons of passing away.
Proverbs 31:8
Young's Literal Translation
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.
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Proverbs 31:8
Revised Standard Version
8 Open your mouth for the dumb,
for the rights of all who are left desolate.[a]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:8 Heb are sons of passing away
Proverbs 31
King James Version
31 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth 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.
Proverbs 31
Holman Christian Standard Bible
The Words of Lemuel
2 What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?(B)
What, son of my vows?
3 Don’t spend your energy(C) on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.(D)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings(E) to drink wine(F)
or for rulers to desire beer.
5 Otherwise, they[b] will drink,
forget what is decreed,(G)
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.[c](H)
6 Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.(I)
7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.(J)
8 Speak up[d] for those who have no voice,[e](K)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[f]
9 Speak up,[g] judge righteously,(L)
and defend the cause of[h] the oppressed and needy.(M)
In Praise of a Capable Wife
10 Who can find a capable wife?[i](N)
She is far more precious than jewels.[j]
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will not lack anything good.
12 She rewards him with good, not evil,
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from far away.(O)
15 She rises while it is still night(P)
and provides food for her household
and portions[k] for her female servants.(Q)
16 She evaluates a field and buys it;
she plants a vineyard with her earnings.[l](R)
17 She draws on her strength[m]
and reveals that her arms are strong.(S)
18 She sees that her profits are good,
and her lamp never goes out at night.(T)
19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,
and her hands hold the spindle.(U)
20 Her hands reach[n] out to the poor,
and she extends her hands to the needy.(V)
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,
for all in her household are doubly clothed.[o]
22 She makes her own bed coverings;(W)
her clothing is fine linen(X) and purple.(Y)
23 Her husband is known at the city gates,
where he sits among the elders of the land.(Z)
24 She makes and sells linen garments;
she delivers belts[p] to the merchants.
25 Strength(AA) and honor are her clothing,(AB)
and she can laugh at the time to come.(AC)
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom
and loving instruction[q] is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the activities of her household(AD)
and is never idle.[r]
28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women[s] are capable,
but you surpass them all!”(AE)
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,(AF)
but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31 Give her the reward of her labor,[t]
and let her works praise her at the city gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit he
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit Open your mouth
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit who are mute
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
- Proverbs 31:9 Lit Open your mouth
- Proverbs 31:9 Lit and justice for
- Proverbs 31:10 Or a wife of quality, or a wife of noble character
- Proverbs 31:10 Vv. 10-31 form an acrostic.
- Proverbs 31:15 Or tasks
- Proverbs 31:16 Or vineyard by her own labors
- Proverbs 31:17 Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
- Proverbs 31:20 Lit Her hand reaches
- Proverbs 31:21 LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
- Proverbs 31:24 Or sashes
- Proverbs 31:26 Or and the teaching of kindness
- Proverbs 31:27 Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
- Proverbs 31:29 Lit daughters
- Proverbs 31:31 Lit the fruit of her hands
Proverbs 31
American Standard Version
31 [a]The words of king Lemuel; the [b]oracle which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to [c]that which destroyeth kings.
4 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?
5 Lest they drink, and forget [e]the law,
And pervert the justice due to [f]any that is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
And wine unto the bitter in soul:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb,
In the cause of all such as are [g]left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And minister justice to the poor and needy.
10 A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of [h]gain.
12 She doeth him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool and flax,
And worketh [i]willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant-ships;
She bringeth her bread from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth food to her household,
And their [j]task to her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength,
And maketh strong her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable;
Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff,
And her [k]hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her [l]hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh for herself [m]carpets of tapestry;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them,
And delivereth girdles unto the [n]merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the [o]law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
29 Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excellest them all.
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1 Or, The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which etc. See 30:1 margin.
- Proverbs 31:1 Or, burden
- Proverbs 31:3 Or, as otherwise read, them that destroy
- Proverbs 31:4 Another reading is, to desire strong drink.
- Proverbs 31:5 Hebrew that which is decreed.
- Proverbs 31:5 Hebrew all the sons of affliction.
- Proverbs 31:8 Or, ready to pass away. Hebrew the sons of passing away.
- Proverbs 31:11 Hebrew spoil.
- Proverbs 31:13 Or, at the business of
- Proverbs 31:15 Or, portion
- Proverbs 31:19 Hebrew palms.
- Proverbs 31:20 Hebrew palm.
- Proverbs 31:22 Or, cushio
- Proverbs 31:24 Hebrew Canaanite.
- Proverbs 31:26 Or, teaching
Proverbs 31
Young's Literal Translation
31 Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:
2 `What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3 Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.
4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.
5 Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.
6 Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,
7 He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'
10 A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies [is] her price.
11 The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not.
12 She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.
13 She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh [with] her hands.
14 She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.
15 Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.
16 She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
17 She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.
18 She hath perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.
19 Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.
20 Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.
22 Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.
23 Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.
24 Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.
25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.
26 Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.
27 She [is] watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.
28 Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,
29 `Many [are] the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'
30 The grace [is] false, and the beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.
31 Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do praise her in the gates!
Proverbs 31
Revised Standard Version
The Teaching of King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa,[a] which his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3 Give not your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to desire[b] strong drink;
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb,
for the rights of all who are left desolate.[c]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
Ode to a Capable Wife
10 A good wife who can find?
She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant,
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night
and provides food for her household
and tasks for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor,
and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes herself coverings;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1 Or King Lemuel, the oracle
- Proverbs 31:4 Cn: Heb where
- Proverbs 31:8 Heb are sons of passing away
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