1898 Young's Literal Translation (YLT)

Proverbs 31

1 Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance. 6 The afflicted are to be comforted and defended. 10 The praise and properties of a good wife.

 31:1 ¶ Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

 31:2 'What, my son? and what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

 31:3 Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.

 31:4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.

 31:5 Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

 31:6 Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,

 31:7 He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.

 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.

 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'

 31:10 ¶ A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies [is] her price.

 31:11 The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not.

 31:12 She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.

 31:13 She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh [with] her hands.

 31:14 She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.

 31:15 Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.

 31:16 She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

 31:17 She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.

 31:18 She hath perceived when her merchandise [is] good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

 31:19 Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.

 31:20 Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.

 31:21 She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.

 31:22 Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple [are] her clothing.

 31:23 Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.

 31:24 Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.

 31:25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.

 31:26 Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.

 31:27 She [is] watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.

 31:28 Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,

 31:29 'Many [are] the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'

 31:30 The grace [is] false, and the beauty [is] vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.

 31:31 Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do praise her in the gates!