Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31:1

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

The words, which king Solomon, whom his mother, in a style of love, termed Lemuel, received from that his mother in his younger years; and that divine counsel, which she gave him.

Proverbs 31:2

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

What shall I then say unto the, O thou my son, the dear son of my womb, the son of my desires, whom by my fervent prayers I obtained from God, not without solemn vows of testifying my thankfulness for blessing me with thee?

Proverbs 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destrogeth kings.

Suffer not thyself so to be besotted with the beauty of women, as that thou shouldest yield unto them the strength of thy body, and the best of thy thoughts; neither give thyself to those wanton courses, which have been the bane of many great princes.

Proverbs 31:4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink.

It is not fit for kings, O Solomon, to give themselves to excessive or pleasurable drinking of wine, and to pouring in of strong intoxicating liquors.

Proverbs 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish.

Give rather strong drink to the man, that is dejected in spirits, and near to perishing, through extremity of affliction.

Proverbs 31:8

Open thou thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Speak thou for them, that are not able to speak for themselves;

Proverbs 31:10

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Whosoever finds a wise, virtuous, modest wife, let him know how to value her: let him esteem her worth above all the precious rubies and diamonds of the world.

Proverbs 31:11

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

Her husband may safely rely upon her trust and care, for the maintenance and enriching of his family; so as he shall have no need to depend upon the spoil of enemies, for the enhancing of his wealth.

Proverbs 31:14

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She provideth all necessaries for her family, at the best hand; and after the manner of merchants, sendeth far for a good pennyworth.

Proverbs 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength.

She addresseth herself to go roundly and heartily about her business.

Proverbs 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.

She findeth such sweetness and benefit in her careful endeavours, that she is encouraged to add vigilancy to her painfulness; and, as if the day were not long enough, she borrows of the night.

Proverbs 31:21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She knows those of her family need not take care for the cold of winter; for she hath made both warm and rich provision of clothes for them; not only for necessary use, but for ornament also.

Proverbs 31:23

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the city.

Her husband, sitting in the gates of the city amongst other of the rulers, is easily known from all the rest, by the cost and neatness of that attire, which she hath provided for him, above his fellows.

Proverbs 31:25

Strength and honour are her clothing.

She so demeans herself, as that all her actions and carriages are full of honour, and bewray a masculine strength and fortitude. XXXI. 28, 29. He praiseth her. Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. Her husband shall extol her worth and virtue above all other women, saying, Other wives have done and deserved well, but thou surpassest them all.

Proverbs 31:30

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lown, shall be praised.

It is no trusting, either to outward favour, or to plausibleness of disposition: as for beauty, it is fading and transitory; but the true fear of God is that, the comfort whereof will stick by us always; the woman that is endued therewith shall be ever praised.

Proverbs 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Let her have that due praise, which she hath deserved; and let her own works, as they have merited, procure her a public applause in the world.