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The Blue Letter Bible

Proverbs 31 :: Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

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The Words of Lemuel
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:1 -

The words of King Lemuel,

a pronouncement[fn] that his mother taught him:

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:2 -

What should I say, my son?

What, son of my womb?

What, son of my vows?

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:3 -

Don’t spend your energy on women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:4 -

It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine

or for rulers to desire beer.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:5 -

Otherwise, he will drink,

forget what is decreed,

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:6 -

Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:7 -

Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:8 -

Speak up[fn] for those who have no voice,[fn]

for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:9 -

Speak up, judge righteously,

and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

In Praise of a Wife of Noble Character
Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:10 -

Who can find a wife of noble character?[fn]

She is far more precious than jewels.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:11 -

The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will not lack anything good.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:12 -

She rewards him with good, not evil,

all the days of her life.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:13 -

She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:14 -

She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:15 -

She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and portions[fn] for her female servants.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:16 -

She evaluates a field and buys it;

she plants a vineyard with her earnings.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:17 -

She draws on her strength[fn]

and reveals that her arms are strong.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:18 -

She sees that her profits are good,

and her lamp never goes out at night.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:19 -

She extends her hands to the spinning staff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:20 -

Her hands reach[fn] out to the poor,

and she extends her hands to the needy.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:21 -

She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all in her household are doubly clothed.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:22 -

She makes her own bed coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:23 -

Her husband is known at the city gates,

where he sits among the elders of the land.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:24 -

She makes and sells linen garments;

she delivers belts[fn] to the merchants.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:25 -

Strength and honor are her clothing,

and she can laugh at the time to come.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:26 -

Her mouth speaks wisdom,

and loving instruction[fn] is on her tongue.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:27 -

She watches over the activities of her household

and is never idle.[fn]

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:28 -

Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also praises her:

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:29 -

“Many women[fn] have done noble deeds,

but you surpass them all! ”

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:30 -

Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,

but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

Unchecked Copy BoxPro 31:31 -

Give her the reward of her labor,[fn]

and let her works praise her at the city gates.

CSB Footnotes
Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
Lit sons of affliction
Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
Lit who are mute
Lit all the sons of passing away
Or a wife of quality, or a capable wife
Vv. 10–31 form an acrostic.
Or tasks
Or vineyard by her own labors
Lit She wraps strength around her like a belt
Lit Her hand reaches
LXX, Vg; MT reads are dressed in scarlet
Or sashes
Or and the teaching of kindness
Lit and does not eat the bread of idleness
Lit daughters
Lit the fruit of her hands
CSB

Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 2017, 2020 by Holman Bible Publishers.

Additional information is provided here.

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

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Proverbs Chapter 31 — Additional Translations: