Proverbs

Offers wisdom and advice on how to live a good and meaningful life.

Chapter 31

1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

*King Lemuel's words, a prophecy his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

*"What about you, my son? And what happened to the son born from my body? And what happened to the son I promised to have?"

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

*Don't give your power to women or follow the path of things that ruin kingdoms.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

*Kings shouldn't drink wine, Lemuel, and princes should not have strong drinks.

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

*So that they don't drink too much, forget the rules, and mess up the decisions for those who are suffering.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

*Provide a drink to the person about to die, and wine to those with sad hearts.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

*Drink and forget your lack of money. Don't think about your suffering anymore.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

*Open your mouth to help those who can't speak, defending those who are meant to be destroyed.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

*Open your mouth, make fair decisions, and defend the rights of the poor and helpless.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

*Who can find a good woman? Her worth is greater than the most precious gemstones.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

*Her husband's heart trusts her fully, so he won't need to steal anything.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

*She'll always help him, never harm him, throughout her entire life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

*She looks for wool and flax and happily works with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

*She's like the merchant ships; she brings 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.

*She wakes up before dawn, feeds her family, and gives food to her girls too.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

*She looks at a piece of land and buys it. With the money she earns, she plants a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

*She wraps herself tightly with power and makes her arms strong.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

*She realizes her business is successful: her light never goes out at night.

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

*She puts her hands on the spinning rod and holds the tool for spinning thread.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

*She reaches out her hand to help the poor; yes, she extends her hands to assist the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

*She isn't scared of snow for her family because they all wear red clothes.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

*She makes herself garments from colorful fabric; her clothes are made of silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

*She's married to a well-known man, who sits with the important people in their community.

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

*She creates high-quality fabric and sells it, while also providing belts to merchants.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

*Strength and honor are what she wears; and later, she will be happy.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

*She speaks wisely and kindly, using her words to show compassion.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

*She carefully watches her family's actions and doesn't rely on idle food.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

*Her kids say she's great; her husband agrees and compliments her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

*Many girls have been good, but you are even better than them.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

*Favor can be misleading, and beauty fades away. But a woman who respects God will be honored.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

*Give her the results of her hard work, and let her achievements speak well of her at the city's entrance.

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