Proverbs 31 :: American Standard Version (ASV)

The Words of Lemuel

Pro 31:1

Pro 31:1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

Pro 31:2

What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?

Pro 31:3

Give not thy strength unto women,

Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Pro 31:4

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;

Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

Pro 31:5

Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

Pro 31:6

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

And wine unto the bitter in soul:

Pro 31:7

Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

And remember his misery no more.

Pro 31:8

Open thy mouth for the dumb,

In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

Pro 31:9

Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

And minister justice to the poor and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pro 31:10

A worthy woman who can find?

For her price is far above rubies.

Pro 31:11

The heart of her husband trusteth in her,

And he shall have no lack of gain.

Pro 31:12

She doeth him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

Pro 31:13

She seeketh wool and flax,

And worketh willingly with her hands.

Pro 31:14

She is like the merchant-ships;

She bringeth her bread from afar.

Pro 31:15

She riseth also while it is yet night,

And giveth food to her household,

And their task to her maidens.

Pro 31:16

She considereth a field, and buyeth it;

With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

Pro 31:17

She girdeth her loins with strength,

And maketh strong her arms.

Pro 31:18

She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable;

Her lamp goeth not out by night.

Pro 31:19

She layeth her hands to the distaff,

And her hands hold the spindle.

Pro 31:20

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

Pro 31:21

She is not afraid of the snow for her household;

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

Pro 31:22

She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Pro 31:23

Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Pro 31:24

She maketh linen garments and selleth them,

And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

Pro 31:25

Strength and dignity are her clothing;

And she laugheth at the time to come.

Pro 31:26

She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

Pro 31:27

She looketh well to the ways of her household,

And eateth not the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28

Her children rise up, and call her blessed;

Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

Pro 31:29

Many daughters have done worthily,

But thou excellest them all.

Pro 31:30

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;

But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

Pro 31:31

Give her of the fruit of her hands;

And let her works praise her in the gates.

Thomas Nelson & Sons first published the American Standard Version in 1901. This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.

Proverbs 31 :: American Standard Version (ASV)

The Words of Lemuel

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pericope