Proverbs 31

1 These are the words [chronicles, sayings] of King Lemuel [a king, possibly Solomon]—the burden [prophecy, oracle, message from God] that his mother [female parent, maternal figure] taught [disciplined, instructed] him: word study 2 What [or how, expressing surprise] shall I say, O my son [beloved child, heir]? What, O son [bar, male child] of my womb [belly, seat of emotions]? What, O son [born of vows, promise to God] of my vows [pledges, promises made to God]? word study 3 Do not [under no circumstances] spend your strength [vigor, power, or might] on women [those who destroy kings] or your vigor [energy, or ability] on those who ruin [destroy, or wipe away] kings [royal persons, or rulers]. word study 4 It is not [under no circumstances] for kings [rulers, monarchs], O Lemuel [for God, dedicated to God], it is not [never] for kings [royal persons] to drink [consume, indulge in] wine [fermented wine, intoxicating beverage], or [as an alternative] for rulers [princes, those in authority] to crave [desire, long for] strong drink [intoxicating liquor], word study 5 lest they drink [and become intoxicated] and forget [mislay or be oblivious to] what is decreed [enacted as a law, written in stone], depriving [perverting or taking away from] all [everything, every single one] the oppressed [those afflicted, suffering, or in trouble] of justice [judgment, a legal right, or a cause]. word study 6 Give [to put in the hand of, provide] strong drink [intoxicating liquor, alcoholic beverage] to one who is perishing [near to destruction, ready to die], and wine [fermented wine, causing intoxication] to the bitter [having a bad taste, experiencing emotional pain] in soul [the essence of a person, the living being]. word study 7 Let him drink [to feast, indulge] and forget [mislay, be oblivious to] his poverty [lacking material possessions, being poor], and remember [recall, mark] his misery [trouble, hard work] no more [not, never again]. word study 8 Open [to speak on behalf of, to utter words for] your mouth [lips, edge of something] for those with no voice [mute, unable to speak, dumb], for the cause [judgment, legal suit, plea] of all [everything, every person] the dispossessed [those appointed to destruction, left desolate, marginalized by society]. word study 9 Open [to speak freely, uttering words of justice] your mouth, judge [vindicate, govern with righteousness] righteously [with fairness, according to God’s standard], and defend [plead, minister justice to] the cause [on behalf of, to help] of the poor [afflicted, humble] and needy [oppressed, in need of help]. word study 10 A wife [virtuous] of noble character [strong, capable], who [what man] can find [discover, attain]? She is far more [exceedingly, beyond measure] precious [valuable, of great worth] than rubies [jewels, precious stones]. word study 11 The heart [innermost being, seat of emotions] of her husband [master, leader] trusts [has complete confidence, faith] in her, and he lacks nothing of value [gain, spoil]. word study 12 She brings [does, renders] him good [pleasant, beneficial] and not [absence of, devoid of] harm [evil, adversity] all [every, the entirety of] the days [literal and figurative periods] of her life [physical and spiritual existence, being alive]. word study 13 She selects [seeks, finds] wool [white, pure material] and flax [plant used for linen] and works [makes, labors] with eager [delighted, willing] hands [palms, skilled fingers]. word study 14 She is like [a vessel of commerce, a ship] the merchant [trading] ships, bringing [importing, fetching] her food [bread, sustenance] from [a distant place, a far country] afar. word study 15 She rises [gets up, stands up] while it is still [yet, continuing] night [darkness, time of rest] to provide [give, offer] food [nourishment, sustenance] for her household [family, home] and portions [tasks, assignments] for her maidservants [servant girls, attendants]. word study 16 She appraises [considers, looks at carefully] a field [a plot of land, ground for cultivation] and buys [purchases, takes possession of] it; from her earnings [the fruit of her hands, profit] she plants [establishes, cultivates] a vineyard [a garden for growing vines, a kerem]. word study 17 She girds [binds, wraps] herself with [inner, spiritual] strength [might, power, courage] and shows [demonstrates, proves] that her arms [upper limbs] are strong [robust, vigorous, capable]. word study 18 She sees [perceives, knows] that her gain [merchandise, profit] is good [pleasant, beneficial], and her lamp [candle, light] is not [never] extinguished [put out, quenched] at night [in the darkness, during adversity]. word study 19 She stretches out her hands [to exert her strength and direction] to the distaff [a tool for spinning thread] and grasps [takes hold of, firmly clutches] the spindle [a rod for twisting thread] with her fingers [the palms of her hands, indicating her manual dexterity]. word study 20 She opens [stretches out, spreads forth] her arms [hands, palms] to the poor [afflicted, humble, weak] and reaches out [sends forth, extends] her hands [palms, strength] to the needy [those in need, oppressed, poor]. word study 21 When it [in the event of] snows [falls from the sky], she has no [absence of] fear [to fear or revere] for her household [family, those in her care], for they are all [every single one] clothed [wrapped, dressed] in [with the color of] scarlet [deep red, crimson]. word study 22 She makes [for herself, bedspreads/quilts] coverings [of tapestry, ornamental] for her bed; her clothing [garments, fine linen] is fine [silk-like] linen [alabaster, white] and [dyed, royal] purple. word study 23 Her husband [master, leader] is known [respected, recognized] at the city gate [public place, town entrance], where he sits [dwells, remains] among the elders [old, wise men] of the land [country, territory]. word study 24 She makes [fine, high-quality] linen [a type of garment] garments and sells [offers for sale, trades] them; she delivers [gives, provides] sashes [belts, cloth bands] to the [Canaanite, merchant] merchants. word study 25 Strength [inner power, courage] and honor [glory, dignity] are her clothing [garments, character], and she can laugh [rejoice, smile] at the days [time, future] to come [in the latter day, ahead]. word study 26 She opens [with skill, to express] her mouth [lip, edge of something] with wisdom [skill, prudence, or good judgment], and faithful [kind, merciful] instruction [law, guidance] is on her tongue [language, speech]. word study 27 She watches [to observe carefully] over the affairs [ways, paths] of her household [family, home] and does not eat [to devour, consume] the bread [food, grain] of idleness [sluggishness, laziness, without working]. word study 28 Her children [sons and descendants] rise up [stand forth, get up] and call her blessed [speak highly of her, pronounce her happy]; her husband [master, leader] praises her as well [gives her honour, saying]: word study 29 “Many [unnumbered, numerous] daughters have done [accomplished, acted with virtue] noble things [worthily, with strength and might], but you [as an individual, uniquely] surpass [excel, ascend above] them all [everything, every one of them]!” word study 30 Charm [deceptive, false allure] is deceptive [vanity, emptiness] and beauty [physical attractiveness, pleasing appearance] is fleeting [transitory, temporary], but a woman [female person, wife] who fears [reveres, has awe for] the LORD [Yehovah, the supreme God] is to be praised [honored, celebrated]. word study 31 Give her [the recognition she deserves, of the fruit] the fruit of her hands [an open hand; strength, a side or share], and let her works [deeds, actions, or accomplishments] praise her [celebrate, honor, or commend] at the gates [city entrances, public places, or gathering areas]. word study