KJ3 Literal Translation
Proverbs 31
A virtuous woman is worth more than rubies.
1The words of King Lemuel, the burden that his mother taught him:
2What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that wiping out kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to lust for fermented drink,
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the right of all sons of affliction.
6Give fermented drink to one perishing, and wine to the bitter of soul,
7let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute ones, to the cause of all the sons of those passing away.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the afflicted ones and the needy ones.
10Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value is far above jewels.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, so that he has no lack of gain.
12She deals good with him, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13She seeks wool and flax, and she works with her palms with delight.
14She is like the merchant ships, she brings in her food from afar.
15She also rises while it is still night and gives game to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16She has examined a field and takes it; she plants a vineyard from the fruit of her palms.
17She has girded her loins with strength, and has made her arms strong.
18She tastes whether her gain is good; her lamp is not put out by night.
19She has sent forth her hands on the distaff, and her palms have held the spindle.
20She spreads out her palms to afflicted ones, yea, she stretches out her hands to the needy ones.
21She does not fear for her household from the snow, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22She makes herself coverlets; her clothing is bleached linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits with the elders of the land.
24She makes fine linen garments, and sells, and she delivers girdles to the merchant.
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the day to come.
26She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, for he praises her:
29Many are the daughters who act with virtue, but you rise above them all!
30Charm may be deceitful, and beauty vanity, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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