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Chapter 31

AlexandrinusVaticanus

The Words of Lemuel

1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

31:1 οἱ ἐμοὶ λόγοι εἴρηνται ὑπὸ θεοῦ, βασιλέως χρηματισμός, ὃν ἐπαίδευσεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ. 31:1 οἱ ἐμοὶ λόγοι εἴρηνται ὑπὸ Θεοῦ, βασιλέως χρηματισμός, ὃν ἐπαίδευσεν ἡ μήτηρ αὐτοῦ.
31:1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed. 31:1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

2 What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows?

31:2 Τί, τέκνον, τηρήσεις;
τί;
ῥήσεις θεοῦ·
πρωτογενές, σοί λέγω, υἱέ·
τί, τέκνον ἐμῆς κοιλίας;
τί, τέκνον ἐμῶν εὐχῶν; 		31:2 τί, τέκνον, τηρήσεις;
τί;
ῥήσεις Θεοῦ.
πρωτογενές, σοί λέγω, υἱέ·
τί τέκνον ἐμῆς κοιλίας;
τί τέκνον ἐμῶν εὐχῶν;
31:2 What will you keep, my son, what? The words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? Son of my womb? What? Son of my vows? 31:2 What will you keep, my son, what? The words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? Son of my womb? What? Son of my vows?

3 Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to what destroys kings.

31:3 μὴ δῷς γυναιξὶ σὸν πλοῦτον καὶ τὸν σὸν νοῦν καὶ βίον εἰς ὑστεροβουλίαν. 31:3 μὴ δῷς γυναιξὶ σὸν πλοῦτον, καὶ τὸν σὸν νοῦν καὶ βίον εἰς ὑστεροβουλίαν.
31:3 Don't give your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel. 31:3 Don't give your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.

4 It is not for kings, Oh Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes intoxicant.

31:4 μετὰ βουλῆς πάντα ποίει, μετὰ βουλῆς οἰνοπότει·
οἱ δυνάσται θυμώδεις εἰσίν, οἶνον δὲ μὴ πινέτωσαν, 		31:4 μετὰ βουλῆς πάντα ποίει, μετὰ βουλῆς οἰνοπότει·
οἱ δυνάσται θυμώδεις εἰσίν, οἶνον δὲ μὴ πινέτωσαν,
31:4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine. 31:4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine.

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

31:5 ἵνα μὴ πιόντες ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς σοφίας καὶ ὀρθὰ κρῖναι οὐ μὴ δύνωνται τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς. 31:5 ἵνα μὴ πιόντες ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς σοφίας καὶ ὀρθὰ κρῖναι οὐ μὴ δύνωνται τοὺς ἀσθενεῖς.
31:5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and are not able to judge the poor rightly. 31:5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and are not able to judge the poor rightly.

6 Give intoxicant to him who is ready to perish, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts.

31:6 δίδοτε μέθην τοῖς ἐν λύπαις καὶ οἶνον πίνειν τοῖς ἐν ὀδύναις, 31:6 δίδοτε μέθην τοῖς ἐν λύπαις καὶ οἶνον πίνειν τοῖς ἐν ὀδύναις,
31:6 Give intoxicant to those who are in sorrow, and wine to drink to those in pain. 31:6 Give intoxicant to those who are in sorrow, and wine to drink to those in pain.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

31:7 ἵνα ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς πενίας καὶ τῶν πόνων μὴ μνησθῶσιν ἔτι. 31:7 ἵνα ἐπιλάθωνται τῆς πενίας καὶ τῶν πόνων μὴ μνησθῶσιν ἔτι.
31:7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more. 31:7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.

8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

31:8 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα λόγῳ θεοῦ καὶ κρῖνε πάντας ὑγιῶς· 31:8 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα λόγῳ Θεοῦ, καὶ κρῖνε πάντας ὑγιῶς.
31:8 Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly. 31:8 Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

31:9 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα καὶ κρῖνε δικαίως, διάκρινε δὲ πένητα καὶ ἀσθενῆ. 31:9 ἄνοιγε σὸν στόμα καὶ κρῖνε δικαίως, διάκρινε δὲ πένητα καὶ ἀσθενῆ.
31:9 Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak. 31:9 Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.

31:10 Γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν τίς εὑρήσει;
τιμιωτέρα δέ ἐστιν λίθων πολυτελῶν ἡ τοιαύτη. 		31:10 Γυναῖκα ἀνδρείαν τίς εὑρήσει;
τιμιωτέρα δέ ἔστι λίθων πολυτελῶν ἡ τοιαύτη.
31:10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? For such a one is more valuable than precious stones. 31:10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? For such a one is more valuable than precious stones.

11 The heart of her husband safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

31:11 θαρσεῖ ἐπ' αὐτῇ ἡ καρδία τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, ἡ τοιαύτη καλῶν σκύλων οὐκ ἀπορήσει· 31:11 θάρσει ἐπ' αὐτῇ ἡ καρδία τοῦ ἀνδρὸς αὐτῆς, ἡ τοιαύτη καλῶν σκύλων οὐκ ἀπορήσει·
31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils. 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

31:12 ἐνεργεῖ γὰρ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἀγαθὰ πάντα τὸν βίον. 31:12 ἐνεργεῖ γὰρ τῷ ἀνδρὶ ἀγαθὰ πάντα τὸν βίον.
31:12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good. 31:12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good.

13 She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

31:13 μηρυομένη ἔρια καὶ λίνον ἐποίησεν εὔχρηστον ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς. 31:13 μηρυομένη ἔρια καὶ λίνον ἐποίησεν εὔχρηστον ταῖς χερσὶν αὐτῆς.
31:13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands. 31:13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

31:14 ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ ναῦς ἐμπορευομένη μακρόθεν, συνάγει δὲ αὕτη τὸν βίον. 31:14 ἐγένετο ὡσεὶ ναῦς ἐμπορευομένη μακροθυμεῖ, συνάγει δὲ αὐτῆς τὸν πλοῦτον.
31:14 She is like a ship trading from a distance; so she procures her livelihood. 31:14 She is like a ship trading from a distance; so she procures her riches.

15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

31:15 καὶ ἀνίσταται ἐκ νυκτῶν καὶ ἔδωκεν βρώματα τῷ οἴκῳ καὶ ἔργα ταῖς θεραπαίναις. 31:15 καὶ ἀνίσταται ἐκ νυκτῶν καὶ ἔδωκε βρώματα τῷ οἴκῳ καὶ ἔργα ταῖς θεραπαίναις.
31:15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens. 31:15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.

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

31:16 θεωρήσασα γεώργιον ἐπρίατο, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς κατεφύτευσεν κτῆμα. 31:16 θεωρήσασα γεώργιον ἐπρίατο, ἀπὸ δὲ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς κατεφύτευσε κτῆμα.
31:16 She views a farm, and buys it; and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession. 31:16 She views a farm, and buys it; and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

31:17 ἀναζωσαμένη ἰσχυρῶς τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτῆς ἤρεισεν τοὺς βραχίονας αὐτῆς εἰς ἔργον. 31:17 ἀναζωσαμένη ἰσχυρῶς τὴν ὀσφὺν αὐτῆς ἤρεισε τοὺς βραχίονας αὐτῆς εἰς ἔργον.
31:17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work. 31:17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle doesn't go out by night.

31:18 ἐγεύσατο ὅτι καλόν ἐστιν τὸ ἐργάζεσθαι, καὶ οὐκ ἀποσβέννυται ὅλην τὴν νύκτα ὁ λύχνος αὐτῆς. 31:18 ἐγεύσατο ὅτι καλόν ἔστι τὸ ἐργάζεσθαι, καὶ οὐκ ἀποσβέννυται ὁ λύχνος αὐτῆς ὅλην τὴν νύκτα.
31:18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle doesn't go out all night. 31:18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle doesn't go out all night.

19 She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

31:19 τοὺς πήχεις αὐτῆς ἐκτείνει ἐπὶ τὰ συμφέροντα, τὰς δὲ χεῖρας αὐτῆς ἐρείδει εἰς ἄτρακτον. 31:19 τοὺς πήχεις αὐτῆς ἐκτείνει ἐπὶ τὰ συμφέροντα, τὰς δὲ χεῖρας αὐτῆς ἐρείδει εἰς ἄτρακτον.
31:19 She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle. 31:19 She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.

20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

31:20 χεῖρας δὲ αὐτῆς διήνοιξεν πένητι καρπὸν δὲ ἐξέτεινεν πτωχῷ. 31:20 χεῖρας δὲ αὐτῆς διήνοιξε πένητι, καρπὸν δὲ ἐξέτεινε πτωχῷ.
31:20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor. 31:20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:21 Οὐ φροντίζει τῶν ἐν οἴκῳ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, ὅταν που χρονίζῃ·
πάντες γὰρ οἱ παρ' αὐτῆς ἐνδιδύσκονται.
  		31:21 οὐ φροντίζει τῶν ἐν οἴκῳ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, ὅταν που χρονίζῃ·
πάντες γὰρ οἱ παρ' αὐτῆς ἐνδεδυμένοι εἰσί.
31:21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad; for all her household are clothed. 31:21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad; for all her household are clothed.

22 She makes herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

31:22 δισσὰς χλαίνας ἐποίησεν τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς, ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα. 31:22 δισσὰς χλαίνας ἐποίησε τῷ ἀνδρὶ αὐτῆς, ἐκ δὲ βύσσου καὶ πορφύρας ἑαυτῇ ἐνδύματα.
31:22 She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet. 31:22 She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.

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

31:23 περίβλεπτος δὲ γίνεται ἐν πύλαις ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς, ἡνίκα ἄν καθίσῃ ἐν συνεδρίῳ μετὰ τῶν γερόντων κατοίκων τῆς γῆς. 31:23 περίβλεπτος δὲ γίνεται ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ἐν πύλαις, ἡνίκα ἄν καθίσῃ ἐν συνεδρίῳ μετὰ τῶν γερόντων κατοίκων τῆς γῆς.
31:23 And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land. 31:23 And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.

24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.

31:24 σινδόνας ἐποίησεν καὶ ἀπέδοτο, περιζώματα δὲ τοῖς Χαναναίοις. 31:24 σινδόνας ἐποίησε καὶ ἀπέδοτο τοῖς Φοίνιξι, περιζώματα δὲ τοῖς Χαναναίοις.
31:24 She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue. 31:24 She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

31:25 στόμα αὐτῆς διήνοιξεν προσεχόντως καὶ ἐννόμως καὶ τάξιν ἐστείλατο τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτῆς. 31:25 ἰσχὺν καὶ εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο καὶ εὐφράνθη ἐν ἡμέραις ἐσχάταις.
31:25 She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days. 31:25 She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

31:26 ἰσχὺν καὶ εὐπρέπειαν ἐνεδύσατο καὶ εὐφράνθη ἐν ἡμέραις ἐσχάταις. 31:26 στόμα αὐτῆς διήνοιξε προσεχόντως καὶ ἐννόμως, καὶ τάξιν ἐστείλατο τῇ γλώσσῃ αὐτῆς.
31:26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law. 31:26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

31:27 στεγναὶ διατριβαὶ οἴκων αὐτῆς, σῖτα δὲ ὀκνηρὰ οὐκ ἔφαγεν. 31:27 στεγναὶ διατριβαὶ οἴκων αὐτῆς, σῖτα δὲ ὀκνηρὰ οὐκ ἔφαγε.
31:27 The ways of her household are careful, and she doesn't eat the bread of idleness. 31:27 The ways of her household are careful, and she doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.

31:28 τὸ στόμα δὲ ἀνοίγει σοφῶς καὶ νομοθέσμως, ἡ δὲ ἐλεημοσύνη αὐτῆς ἀνέστησεν τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς, καὶ ἐπλούτησαν, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ᾔνεσεν αὐτήν, 31:28 τὸ στόμα δὲ ἀνοίγει σοφῶς καὶ νομοθέσμως, ἡ δὲ ἐλεημοσύνη αὐτῆς ἀνέστησε τὰ τέκνα αὐτῆς καὶ ἐπλούτησαν, καὶ ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς ᾔνεσεν αὐτήν.
31:28 And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her. 31:28 And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.

31:29 πολλαὶ θυγατέρες ἐκτήσαντο πλοῦτον, πολλαὶ ἐποίησαν δυνατά, σὺ δὲ ὑπέρκεισαι καὶ ὑπερῆρας πάσας. 31:29 Πολλαὶ θυγατέρες ἐκτήσαντο πλοῦτον, πολλαὶ ἐποίησαν δύναμιν, σὺ δὲ ὑπέρκεισαι καὶ ὑπερῆρας πάσας.
31:29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all. 31:29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31:30 ψευδεῖς ἀρέσκειαι καὶ μάταιον κάλλος γυναικός·
γυνὴ γὰρ συνετὴ εὐλογεῖται, φόβον δὲ κυρίου αὕτη αἰνείτω. 		31:30 ψευδεῖς ἀρέσκειαι καὶ μάταιον κάλλος γυναικός·
γυνὴ γὰρ συνετὴ εὐλογεῖται, φόβον δὲ Κυρίου αὕτη αἰνείτω.
31:30 Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain; for it is a wise woman who is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord. 31:30 Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain; for it is a wise woman who is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

31:31 δότε αὐτῇ ἀπὸ καρπῶν χειρῶν αὐτῆς, καὶ αἰνείσθω ἐν πύλαις ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς. 31:31 δότε αὐτῇ ἀπὸ καρπῶν χειλέων αὐτῆς, καὶ αἰνείσθω ἐν πύλαις ὁ ἀνὴρ αὐτῆς.
31:31 Give to her from the fruits of her hands; and let her husband be praised in the gates. 31:31 Give to her from the fruits of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.