Proverbs 31 :: Bible in Basic English (BBE)

The Words of Lemuel

Pro 31:1

Pro 31:1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

Pro 31:2

Pro 31:2What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

Pro 31:3

Pro 31:3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

Pro 31:4

Pro 31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

Pro 31:5

Pro 31:5For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

Pro 31:6

Pro 31:6Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

Pro 31:7

Pro 31:7Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

Pro 31:8

Pro 31:8Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

Pro 31:9

Pro 31:9Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pro 31:10

Pro 31:10Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

Pro 31:11

Pro 31:11The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

Pro 31:12

Pro 31:12She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

Pro 31:13

Pro 31:13She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

Pro 31:14

Pro 31:14She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

Pro 31:15

Pro 31:15She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

Pro 31:16

Pro 31:16After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

Pro 31:17

Pro 31:17She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

Pro 31:18

Pro 31:18She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

Pro 31:19

Pro 31:19She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

Pro 31:20

Pro 31:20Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

Pro 31:21

Pro 31:21She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

Pro 31:22

Pro 31:22She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

Pro 31:23

Pro 31:23Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

Pro 31:24

Pro 31:24She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

Pro 31:25

Pro 31:25Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

Pro 31:26

Pro 31:26Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

Pro 31:27

Pro 31:27She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

Pro 31:28

Pro 31:28Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

Pro 31:29

Pro 31:29Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

Pro 31:30

Pro 31:30Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

Pro 31:31

Pro 31:31Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

The Bible in Basic English was translated by Professor Samuel Henry Hooke (1874-1968)
This translation of the Bible is in the public domain.

Proverbs 31 :: Bible in Basic English (BBE)

The Words of Lemuel

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pericope