369Or, The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which etc. See ch. 30:1 footnotes.
370Or perhaps, oracle
31: 2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
31: 3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to 371that which destroyeth kings.
371Hbmg reads them that destroy kings.
31: 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes 372to say, Where is strong drink?
372Hbmg reads to desire strong drink.
31: 5 Lest they drink, and forget 373the law, And pervert the justice due to 374any that is afflicted.
373Hb. that which is decreed,
374Hb. all the sons of affliction.
31: 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter of soul:
31: 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
31: 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are 375left desolate.
375Or, ready to pass away. Hb. the sons of passing away.
31: 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
31: 10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
31: 11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of 376gain.
376Hb. spoil.
31: 12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
31: 13 She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh 377willingly with her hands.
377Or, at the business of her hands.
31: 14 She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
31: 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their 378task to her maidens.
378Or, portion
31: 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
31: 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
31: 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out in the night.
31: 19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her 379hands hold the spindle.
379Hb. palms
31: 20 She stretcheth out her 380hand to the poor; Yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
380Hb. palm
31: 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
31: 22 She maketh for herself 381carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
381Or, cushions
31: 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
31: 24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the 382merchant.
382Hb. Canaanite.
31: 25 Strength and splendor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
31: 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the 383law of kindness is on her tongue.
383Or, teaching
31: 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
31: 28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
31: 29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
31: 30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31: 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
