Proverbs 31 CEVUK00

What King Lemuel's mother taught him

1 These are the sayingsthat King Lemuel of Massawas taught by his mother.

2 My son Lemuel, you were bornin answer to my prayers,so listen carefully.

3 Don't waste your lifechasing after women!This has ruined many kings.

4 Kings and leadersshould not get drunkor even want to drink.

5 Drinking makes you forgetyour responsibilities,and you ill-treat the poor.

6 Beer and wine are onlyfor the dying or for thosewho have lost all hope.

7 Let them drink and forgethow poor and miserablethey feel.

8 But you must defendthose who are helplessand have no hope.

9 Be fair and give justiceto the poor and homeless.

In praise of a good wife

10 A truly good wifeis the most precious treasurea man can find!

11 Her husband depends on her,and she neverlets him down.

12 She is good to himevery day of her life,

13 and with her own handsshe gladly makes clothes.

14 She is like a sailing shipthat brings foodfrom across the sea.

15 She gets up before daylightto prepare food for her familyand for her servants.

16 She knows how to buy landand how to plant a vineyard,

17 and she always works hard.

18 She knows when to buy or sell,and she stays busyuntil late at night.

19 She spins her own cloth,

20 and she helps the poorand the needy.

21 Her family has warm clothing,and so she doesn't worrywhen it snows.

22 She does her own sewing,and everything she wearsis beautiful.

23 Her husband is a well-knownand respected leaderin the city.

24 She makes clothes to sellto the shop owners.

25 She is strong and graceful,as well as cheerfulabout the future.

26 Her words are sensible,and her adviceis thoughtful.

27 She takes good careof her familyand is never lazy.

28 Her children praise her,and with great prideher husband says,

29 “There are many good women,but you are the best!”

30 Charm can be deceiving,and beauty fades away,but a womanwho honours the Lorddeserves to be praised.

31 Show her respect—praise her in publicfor what she has done.

Chapters

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 29 30 31