Proverbs 31 Parallel Bible Translations

Proverbs 31 ▼
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JPS
JPS Tanakh 1917
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English Standard Version
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1 The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected 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 son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, 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 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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: Nor for princes to say: 'Where is 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 Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, And pervert the justice due to any that is 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 unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul; 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 remember his misery no more. 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 thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 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, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor 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 A woman of valour who can find? For her price is far above rubies. 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 doth safely trust in her, And he hath 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 doeth him 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 seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands. 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; She bringeth her food from afar. 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 riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her maidens. 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 a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a 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 girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms. 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 perceiveth that her merchandise is good; Her lamp goeth not out by night. 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 hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 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 stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her 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 is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household 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 for herself coverlets; Her clothing is fine linen 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 husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth 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 maketh linen garments and selleth them; And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 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 she laugheth at the time to come. 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 wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 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 looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not 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; Her husband also, and he praiseth 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 have done valiantly, But thou excellest them all.' “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth the LORD, 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 fruit of her hands; And let her works praise 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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