Proverbs 31

Proverbs 31

THE SAYINGS OF KING LEMUEL

1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message,* which his mother taught him.

2 O my son, O son of my womb,
  O son of my vows,
3 do not waste your strength on women,
  on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
  Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law
  and not give justice to the oppressed.
6 Alcohol is for the dying,
  and wine for those in bitter distress.
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty
  and remember their troubles no more.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
  ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
  and see that they get justice.

A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER

10 *Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?
  She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her,
  and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 She brings him good, not harm,
  all the days of her life.

13 She finds wool and flax
  and busily spins it.
14 She is like a merchant's ship,
  bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
  and plan the day's work for her servant girls.

16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
  with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong,
  a hard worker.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
  her lamp burns late into the night.

19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,
  her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor
  and opens her arms to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household,
  for everyone has warm* clothes.

22 She makes her own bedspreads.
  She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,
  where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes belted linen garments
  and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
  and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise,
  and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household
  and suffers nothing from laziness.

28 Her children stand and bless her.
  Her husband praises her:
29 "There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,
  but you surpass them all!"

30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;
  but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done.
  Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

Proverbs 23

Proverbs 23

1 While dining with a ruler,
  pay attention to what is put before you.
2 If you are a big eater,
  put a knife to your throat;
3 don't desire all the delicacies,
  for he might be trying to trick you.

4 Don't wear yourself out trying to get rich.
  Be wise enough to know when to quit.
5 In the blink of an eye wealth disappears,
  for it will sprout wings
  and fly away like an eagle.

6 Don't eat with people who are stingy;
  don't desire their delicacies.
7 They are always thinking about how much it costs.*
  "Eat and drink," they say, but they don't mean it.
8 You will throw up what little you've eaten,
  and your compliments will be wasted.

9 Don't waste your breath on fools,
  for they will despise the wisest advice.

10 Don't cheat your neighbor by moving the ancient boundary markers;
  don't take the land of defenseless orphans.
11 For their Redeemer* is strong;
  he himself will bring their charges against you.

12 Commit yourself to instruction;
  listen carefully to words of knowledge.

13 Don't fail to discipline your children.
  They won't die if you spank them.
14 Physical discipline
  may well save them from death.*

15 My child,* if your heart is wise,
  my own heart will rejoice!
16 Everything in me will celebrate
  when you speak what is right.

17 Don't envy sinners,
  but always continue to fear the LORD.
18 You will be rewarded for this;
  your hope will not be disappointed.

19 My child, listen and be wise:
  Keep your heart on the right course.
20 Do not carouse with drunkards
  or feast with gluttons,
21 for they are on their way to poverty,
  and too much sleep clothes them in rags.

22 Listen to your father, who gave you life,
  and don't despise your mother when she is old.
23 Get the truth and never sell it;
  also get wisdom, discipline, and good judgment.
24 The father of godly children has cause for joy.
  What a pleasure to have children who are wise.*
25 So give your father and mother joy!
  May she who gave you birth be happy.

26 O my son, give me your heart.
  May your eyes take delight in following my ways.
27 A prostitute is a dangerous trap;
  a promiscuous woman is as dangerous as falling into a narrow well.
28 She hides and waits like a robber,
  eager to make more men unfaithful.

29 Who has anguish? Who has sorrow?
  Who is always fighting? Who is always complaining?
  Who has unnecessary bruises? Who has bloodshot eyes?
30 It is the one who spends long hours in the taverns,
  trying out new drinks.
31 Don't gaze at the wine, seeing how red it is,
  how it sparkles in the cup, how smoothly it goes down.
32 For in the end it bites like a poisonous snake;
  it stings like a viper.
33 You will see hallucinations,
  and you will say crazy things.
34 You will stagger like a sailor tossed at sea,
  clinging to a swaying mast.
35 And you will say, "They hit me, but I didn't feel it.
  I didn't even know it when they beat me up.
When will I wake up
  so I can look for another drink?"