Proverbs 31 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Words of Lemuel

Pro 31:1

Pro 31:1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

Pro 31:2

Pro 31:2What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

Pro 31:3

Pro 31:3Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

Pro 31:4

Pro 31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;

Pro 31:5

Pro 31:5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Pro 31:6

Pro 31:6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

Pro 31:7

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

Pro 31:8

Pro 31:8Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.

Pro 31:9

Pro 31:9Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pro 31:10

Pro 31:10A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Pro 31:11

Pro 31:11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

Pro 31:12

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

Pro 31:13

Pro 31:13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

Pro 31:14

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

Pro 31:15

Pro 31:15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.

Pro 31:16

Pro 31:16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

Pro 31:17

Pro 31:17She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.

Pro 31:18

Pro 31:18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

Pro 31:19

Pro 31:19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

Pro 31:20

Pro 31:20She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Pro 31:21

Pro 31:21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

Pro 31:22

Pro 31:22She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Pro 31:23

Pro 31:23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

Pro 31:24

Pro 31:24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.

Pro 31:25

Pro 31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Pro 31:26

Pro 31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Pro 31:27

Pro 31:27She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Pro 31:28

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

Pro 31:29

Pro 31:29"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

Pro 31:30

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

Pro 31:31

Pro 31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

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Source: Transcribed from: The Holy Bible: Revised Standard Version containing the Old and New Testaments, translated from the original tongues: being the version set forth A.D. 1611, revised A.D. 1881-1885 and A.D. 1901: compared with the most ancient authorities and revised A.D. 1946-52. — 2nd ed. of New Testament A.D. 1971. There should be enough in the rest of the description to identify the text.

Language: English

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Proverbs 31 :: Revised Standard Version (RSV)

The Words of Lemuel

Description of a Worthy Woman

Pericope