New American Bible, Revised Edition

Proverbs 31:1-20 New American Bible, Revised Edition (NABRE)

1. The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, the instruction his mother taught him:

2. What are you doing, my son!what are you doing, son of my womb;what are you doing, son of my vows!

3. Do not give your vigor to women,or your strength to those who ruin kings.

4. It is not for kings, Lemuel,not for kings to drink wine;strong drink is not for princes,

5. Lest in drinking they forget what has been decreed,and violate the rights of any who are in need.

6. Give strong drink to anyone who is perishing,and wine to the embittered;

7. When they drink, they will forget their misery,and think no more of their troubles.

8. Open your mouth in behalf of the mute,and for the rights of the destitute;

9. Open your mouth, judge justly,defend the needy and the poor!

10. Who can find a woman of worth?Far beyond jewels is her value.

11. Her husband trusts her judgment;he does not lack income.

12. She brings him profit, not loss,all the days of her life.

13. She seeks out wool and flaxand weaves with skillful hands.

14. Like a merchant fleet,she secures her provisions from afar.

15. She rises while it is still night,and distributes food to her household,a portion to her maidservants.

16. She picks out a field and acquires it;from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17. She girds herself with strength;she exerts her arms with vigor.

18. She enjoys the profit from her dealings;her lamp is never extinguished at night.

19. She puts her hands to the distaff,and her fingers ply the spindle.

20. She reaches out her hands to the poor,and extends her arms to the needy.