Proverbs 31

King Lemuel's mother teaches him to avoid women and wine, to open his mouth for the voiceless and judge righteously for the poor, and the chapter closes with the acrostic portrait of the virtuous woman whose price is far above rubies. She works willingly, provides for her household, stretches out her hand to the poor, and fears the LORD — and her works praise her in the gates.

v	King James Version	Modern English
1	The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.	The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that His mother taught Him.
2	What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?	What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?
3	Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.	Do not give Your strength to women, nor Your ways to that which destroys kings.
4	It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:	It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink,
5	Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.	lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6	Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.	Give strong drink to Him who is ready to perish, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts.
7	Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.	Let Him drink and forget His poverty, and remember His 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 in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9	Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.	Open Your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10	Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.	Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11	The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.	The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that He will have no need of spoil.
12	She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.	She will do Him good and not evil 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 willingly with her hands.
14	She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.	She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.
15	She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.	She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
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.
17	She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.	She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18	She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.	She sees that her merchandise is good; her candle does not go out by night.
19	She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.	She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20	She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.	She stretches out her hand to the poor; indeed, she reaches forth 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 the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22	She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.	She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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.
24	She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.	She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
25	Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.	Strength and honor are her clothing, and she will rejoice in time to come.
26	She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.	She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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.
28	Her children arise 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:
29	Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.	"Many daughters have done virtuously, but You excel them all."
30	Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.	Favor is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she will be praised.
31	Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.	Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.