Proverbs 31 :: New International Version (NIV)

Sayings of King Lemuel

Pro 31:1

Pro 31:1The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

Pro 31:2

Pro 31:2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

Pro 31:3

Pro 31:3Do not spend your strength[fn] on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

Pro 31:4

Pro 31:4It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,

Pro 31:5

Pro 31:5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Pro 31:6

Pro 31:6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!

Pro 31:7

Pro 31:7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

Pro 31:8

Pro 31:8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

Pro 31:9

Pro 31:9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.

Epilogue: The Wife of Noble Character

Pro 31:10

Pro 31:10 [fn]A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.

Pro 31:11

Pro 31:11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.

Pro 31:12

Pro 31:12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

Pro 31:13

Pro 31:13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

Pro 31:14

Pro 31:14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Pro 31:15

Pro 31:15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.

Pro 31:16

Pro 31:16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Pro 31:17

Pro 31:17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.

Pro 31:18

Pro 31:18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.

Pro 31:19

Pro 31:19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Pro 31:20

Pro 31:20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.

Pro 31:21

Pro 31:21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

Pro 31:22

Pro 31:22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

Pro 31:23

Pro 31:23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

Pro 31:24

Pro 31:24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

Pro 31:25

Pro 31:25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.

Pro 31:26

Pro 31:26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Pro 31:27

Pro 31:27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28

Pro 31:28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

Pro 31:29

Pro 31:29“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”

Pro 31:30

Pro 31:30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Pro 31:31

Pro 31:31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

See the NIV Preface (Especially for Parenthesis, Brackets, & Asterisks).

NIV Footnotes

(31:3)

Or wealth

(31:10)

Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.

THE HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®, NIV®
Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.®
Used by Permission of Biblica, Inc.® All rights reserved worldwide.

See detailed copyright information.

For more information on this translation, see the NIV Preface.