Proverbs 31 - New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition 2021(NRSVUE)

Proverbs 31The Teaching of King Lemuel’s Mother

1 strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing

and wine to those in bitter distress;

7let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8

9 Lev 19.15; Deut 1.16 Speak out; judge righteously;

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Ode to a Woman of Strength

10 Prov 12.4; 19.14 A woman of strength who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

12She does him good and not harm

all the days of her life.

13 vv 21–24 She seeks wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

14She is like the ships of the merchant;

she brings her food from far away.

15 Lk 12.42; Rom 12.11 She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and tasks for her female servants.

16She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength

and makes her arms strong.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

20 Eph 4.28; Heb 13.16 She opens her hand to the poor

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 2 Sam 1.24 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all her household are clothed in crimson.

22She makes herself coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Ruth 4.1, 11; Prov 12.4 Her husband is known in the city gates,

taking his seat among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them;

she supplies the merchant with sashes.

25 v 17 Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

26 Prov 10.31 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 Prov 19.15 She looks well to the ways of her household

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her happy;

her husband, too, and he praises her:

29 Prov 12.4 “Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

30 Prov 6.25; 22.4 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

31Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the city gates.