1750 Challoner Revision of the Douay-Rheims (DR)

Proverbs 31

1 Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance. 6 The afflicted are to be comforted and defended. 10 The praise and properties of a good wife.

 31:1 ¶ The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.

 31:2 What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?

 31:3 Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.

 31:4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:

 31:5 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.

 31:6 Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:

 31:7 Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.

 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.

 31:9 Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.

 31:10 ¶ Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.

 31:11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.

 31:12 She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.

 31:13 She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.

 31:14 She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.

 31:15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.

 31:16 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

 31:17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.

 31:18 She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.

 31:19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.

 31:20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.

 31:21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.

 31:22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.

 31:23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.

 31:24 She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.

 31:25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.

 31:26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.

 31:27 She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.

 31:28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.

 31:29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.

 31:30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

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