Provérbios 31— comparação

1Palavras do rei Lemuel — a revelação que a sua mãe lhe ensinou:

2“Ah, meu filho!

3Não dê o seu vigor às mulheres,

4Não é para os reis, ó Lemuel,

5para que não bebam e se esqueçam da lei,

6Dê bebida forte ao que está prestes a perecer,

7Que ele beba, e se esqueça da sua pobreza,

8Abra a sua boca em favor do mudo,

9Abra a sua boca, julgue com justiça,

10Quem pode encontrar uma mulher virtuosa?

11O coração do seu marido confia nela.

12Ela lhe faz o bem, e não o mal,

13Ela busca lã e linho,

14Ela é como os navios mercantes.

15Ela também se levanta enquanto ainda é noite,

16Ela avalia um campo e o compra.

17Ela cinge os seus lombos de força,

18Ela percebe que a sua mercadoria é lucrativa.

19Ela estende as mãos ao fuso,

20Ela abre os seus braços para o pobre;

21Ela não teme a neve por causa da sua família,

22Ela faz para si cobertas de tapeçaria.

23O seu marido é respeitado nas portas da cidade,

24Ela faz roupas de linho e as vende,

25A força e a dignidade são a sua roupa.

26Ela abre a sua boca com sabedoria.

27Ela cuida bem do andamento da sua casa,

28Os seus filhos se levantam e a chamam de bem-aventurada.

29“Muitas mulheres fazem coisas nobres,

30O encanto é enganoso, e a beleza é vã;

31Deem-lhe do fruto das suas mãos!

1The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

3Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

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

8Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

10Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

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

14She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

15She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

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

17She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

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

20She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

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

22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

24She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

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

28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

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

31Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!