Proverbs 31 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 31 ▼
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BISHOPS
Bishops' Bible of 1568
ESV
English Standard Version
NIV
New International Version
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1 The wordes of king Lamuel, and the lesson that 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 my sonne? what the sonne of my body? and what O my deare beloued sonne? 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 Geue not ouer thy strength & wayes vnto women, which are the destruction euen of kynges. 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 O Lamuel, it is not for kynges, it is not I say for kynges to drynke wine, nor princes strong drynke. 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 Lest they by drnkyng forget the lawe, and peruert the iudgement of all poore mens children. 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 Geue strong drynke vnto such as are redy to perishe, and wine vnto those that mourne: 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 That they may drynke it, and forget their miserie and aduersitie. 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 Be thou an aduocate for the dumbe, to speake in the cause of all such as be succourlesse in this transitorie worlde. 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 thy mouth, defende the thyng that is lawfull and ryght, and the cause of the poore and helpelesse. 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 Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles. 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 husbande may safely trust in her, so that he shall fall into no pouertie. 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 wyll do hym good, and not euill, all the dayes of her lyfe. 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 occupieth wooll and flaxe, and laboureth gladly with her handes. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like a marchauntes ship, that bryngeth her vittayles from a farre. 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 is vp in the nyght season, to prouide meate for her housholde, and foode for her maydens. 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 considereth lande, and byeth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde. 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 girdeth her loynes with strength, and fortifieth her armes. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 And yf she perceaue that her huswiferie doth good, her candell goeth not out by nyght. 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 layeth her fingers to the spindle, & her hande taketh holde of the distaffe. 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 openeth her hande to the poore, yea she stretcheth foorth her handes to such as haue neede. 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 feareth not that the colde of wynter shall hurt her housholde, for all her housholde folkes are clothed with scarlet. 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 maketh her selfe faire ornametes, her clothyng is white silke and purple. 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 husbande is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth among the rulers of the lande. 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 maketh cloth of silke, and selleth it: and deliuereth girdles vnto the marchaunt. 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 honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce. 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 openeth her mouth with wisdome, and in her tongue is the lawe of grace. 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 loketh well to the wayes of her housholde: and eateth not her bread with idlenesse. 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 arise vp & call her blessed: and her husbande shall make much of her. 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 there be that gather riches together: but thou goest aboue them all. “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 As for fauour it is deceiptfull, & beautie is a vayne thyng: but a woman that feareth the Lorde, shalbe praysed. 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 Geue her of the fruite of her handes: and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates. 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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