Proverbs 31 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 31 ▼
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1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him: The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows? What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines], Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees, And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted. lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, And wine to him whose life is bitter. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And no longer remember his trouble. let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless; Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And administer justice for the afflicted and needy. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her? Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls. An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence], And he will have no lack of gain. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evil All the days of her life. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax And works with willing hands in delight. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure]; She brings her [household’s] food from far away. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And assigns tasks to her maids. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently]; With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] And makes her arms strong. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead]. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing]. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens and extends her hand to the poor, And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear the snow for her household, For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool]. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool]. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them; And supplies sashes to the merchants. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared]. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction]. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to how things go in her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired); Her husband also, and he praises her, saying, Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], But you excel them all.” “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her of the product of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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