rd

Proverbs 31

2 He exhorteth to chastity and justice, 10 And sheweth the conditions of a wise and worthy woman.
1.THE WORDS OF KING Lemuél, The prophecy which his mother taught him.
2.What my son! and what the son of my womb! and what, ô son of my desires!
3.Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways, which is to destroy Kings.
4.It is not for Kings, ô Lemuél, it is not for Kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink,
5.Lest he drink, and forget the decree, and change the judgment of all the children of affliction.
6.Give ye strong drink unto him, that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grief of heart.
7.Let him drink, that he may forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8.Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all the children of destruction.
9.Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor.
10.¶ Who shall find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above the pearls.
11.The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoil.
12.She will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
13.She seeketh wool and flax, & labour cheerfully with her hands.
14.She is like the ships of merchants: she bringeth her food from a far.
15.And she riseth, whiles it is yet night: and giveth the portion to her household, and the ordinary to her maids.
16.She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17.She girdeth her loins with strength, & strengtheneth her arms.
18.She feleth that her merchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night.
19.She putteth her hands to the wherue, and her hands handle the spindle.
20.She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, and putteth forth her hands to the needy.
21.She feareth not the snow for her family: for all her family is clothed with scarlet.
22.She maketh her self carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.
23.Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.
24.She maketh sheets, and selleth them, and giveth girdles unto the merchant.
25.Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall rejoice.
26.She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of grace is in her tongue.
27.She overseeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28.Her children rise up, and call her blessed, her husband also shall praise her, saying,
29.Many daughters have done virtuously: but thou surmountest them all.
30.Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vanity but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shalbe praised.
31.Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Notes

1-a.
That is, of Solomon who was called Lemuel, that is, of God, because God had ordained him to be King over Israel.
1-b.
The doctrine which his mother Beth Sheba taught him.
2-c.
She this often repeats of one thing, she declared her motherly affection.
3-d.
Meaning, that women are the destruction of Kings, if they hate them.
4-e.
That is, the King must not give himself to wantonness and neglect his office, which is to execute judgement.
7-f.
For wine does comfort the heart, as Psal. 104.15.
8-g.
Defend their cause that are not able to help themselves.
11-h.
He shall not need to use any unlawful means to gain his living.
15-^.
Or meat, as Psal. 111.5.
15-i.
She prepares their meat betime.
16-k.
She purchases it with the gains of her travail.
21-^.
Or, with duvetyn (a velvety fabric.)
23-l.
In the assemblies and places of judgement.
24-^.
Or, linen cloth.
25-m.
After that he had spoken of the apparel of the body, he now declares the apparel of the spirit.
26-n.
Her tongue is as a book whereby one might learn many good things for she delights to talk of the word of God.
28-o.
That is, do her reverence.
31-p.
Confess her diligent labour and commend her therefore.
31-q.
For asmuch as the most honourable are clad in the apparel she made.