Proverbs 31
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1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.New International Version (NIV)

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Proverbs 30
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