Proverbs 31

KING JAMES BIBLE	NEW JERUSALEM
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.	1 The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa, taught him by his mother:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?	2 What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.	3 Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on 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 Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.	5 for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against allthe poor.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.	6 Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy:
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.	7 let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.	8 Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of al the unwanted;
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.	9 make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.	10 The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.	11 Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he wil derive no little profit.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.	12 Advantage and not hurt she brings him al the days of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.	13 She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.	14 She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.	15 She gets up while it is stil dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.	16 She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants avineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.	17 She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.	18 She knows that her affairs are going wel ; her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.	19 She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.	20 She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens 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 Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with al her servants warmly clothed.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.	22 She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.	23 Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.	24 She weaves materials and sel s them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.	25 She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.	26 When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.	27 She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.	28 Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.	29 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.	30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.	31 Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tel her praises at the citygates.