Proverbs 31

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW AMERICAN BIBLE
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.	1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa. The advice which his mother gave him:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?	2 What, my son, my first-born! what, O son of my womb; what, O son of my vows!
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.	3 Give not your vigor to women, nor your strength to those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:	4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; strong drink is not for princes!
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.	5 Lest in drinking they forget what the law decrees, and violate the rights of all who are in need.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.	6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the sorely depressed;
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.	7 When they drink, they will forget their misery, and think no more of their burdens.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.	8 Open your mouth in behalf of the dumb, and for the rights of the destitute;
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.	9 Open your mouth, decree what is just, defend the needy and the poor!
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.	10 When one finds a worthy wife, her value is far beyond pearls.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.	11 Her husband, entrusting his heart to her, has an unfailing prize.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.	12 She brings him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.	13 She obtains wool and flax and makes cloth with skillful hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.	14 Like merchant ships, she secures her provisions from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.	15 She rises while it is still night, and distributes food to her household.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.	16 She picks out a field to purchase; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.	17 She is girt about with strength, and sturdy are her arms.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.	18 She enjoys the success of her dealings; at night her lamp is undimmed.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.	19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her fingers ply the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.	20 She reaches out her hands to the poor, and extends her arms to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.	21 She fears not the snow for her household; all her charges are doubly clothed.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.	22 She makes her own coverlets; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.	23 Her husband is prominent at the city gates as he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.	24 She makes garments and sells them, and stocks the merchants with belts.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.	25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.	26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and on her tongue is kindly counsel.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.	27 She watches the conduct of her household, and eats not her food in idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.	28 Her children rise up and praise her; her husband, too, extols her:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.	29 "Many are the women of proven worth, but you have excelled them all."
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.	30 Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting; the woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.	31 Give her a reward of her labors, and let her works praise her at the city gates.