Bible in Basic English
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
— Proverbs 31:1-1964, Bible in Basic English
“The Words of Lemuel The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. The Wife of Noble Character Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends. She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life. She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands. She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar. Then she rose while it was still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants. She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard. She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms. She perceived that her merchandise was good. Her lamp would not go out in the night. She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasped the spindle. She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy. She would not fear for her household in winter, because all of her household were clothed with scarlet, because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple. Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. She made linen garments then sold them, and traded belts to the merchants; her clothing was strong and splendid; and she laughed at the time to come. She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue. Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness. Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her: “Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all!” Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the LORD– she makes herself praiseworthy. Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.”
The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.