What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him
1 These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
was taught by his mother.
2 My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
so listen carefully.
3 Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
This has ruined many kings.
4 Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
or even want to drink.
5 Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
and you mistreat the poor.
6 Beer and wine are only
for the dying or for those
who have lost all hope.
7 Let them drink and forget
how poor and miserable
they feel.
8 But you must defend
those who are helpless
and have no hope.
9 Be fair and give justice
to the poor and homeless.
In Praise of a Good Wife
10 A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
a man can find!
11 Her husband depends on her,
and she never
lets him down.
12 She is good to him
every day of her life,
13 and with her own hands
she gladly makes clothes.
14 She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
from across the sea.
15 She gets up before daylight
to prepare food for her family
and for her servants.
16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17 and she always works hard.
18 She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
until late at night.
19 She spins her own cloth,
20 and she helps the poor
and the needy.
21 Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn't worry
when it snows.
22 She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
is beautiful.
23 Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
in the city.
24 She makes clothes to sell
to the shop owners.
25 She is strong and graceful,
as well as cheerful
about the future.
26 Her words are sensible,
and her advice
is thoughtful.
27 She takes good care
of her family
and is never lazy.
28 Her children praise her,
and with great pride
her husband says,
29 “There are many good women,
but you are the best!”
30 Charm can be deceiving,
and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
deserves to be praised.
31 Show her respect—
praise her in public
for what she has done.
Ķēniņa Lemuēla mātes pamācība
1 Ķēniņa Lemuēla vārdi. Vēstījums, ko pamācībai tam devusi viņa māte.
2 Ko, mans dēls, nu ko, mana klēpja dēls,
nu ko, manu apsolījumu dēls?!
3 Neatdod sievietēm savu spēku,
nenododies valdnieku deldētājām!
4 Nenākas ķēniņiem, Lemuēl,
nenākas ķēniņiem dzert vīnu,
nedz valdniekiem kārot brāgu –
5 tad tie dzerdami aizmirstu likumu
un ik sūrdienim darītu pāri!
6 Dodiet brāgu pazudušajam
un vīnu tiem, kam rūgtums sirdī,
7 lai dzer un aizmirst savu postu
un neatceras vairs savas mokas!
8 Ver savu muti mēmo vietā,
aizstāvi visus, kam spēki zūd,
9 ver savu muti, spried taisni,
aizstāvi tiesā nabagu un sūrdieni!
Krietnas sievas tikumu slavinājums
10 Krietna sieva – kā pie tās tikt?
Par pērlēm tai daudz augstāka cena!
11 Uzticas tai vīra sirds –
un guvums tam neiet secen.
12 Tā dara viņam labu, ļaunu ne –
visu savu mūžu!
13 Tā gādā par vilnu un liniem,
tā padara darbus vieglu roku,
14 tā ir kā tirgoņa kuģis –
no tālumiem iztiku pārved,
15 tā ceļas, kad vēl nakts,
baro saimi, izrīko kalpones,
16 tā nolūko lauku un nopērk to,
par pašas peļņu vīnadārzu stāda,
17 tā sajož cieši savus gurnus,
visu spēku tā saņem rokās,
18 tā lūko, ka peļņa nāk,
tās gaismeklis nedziest naktī,
19 rokas tai sniedzas pie sprēslenīcas,
tās pirksti tver vārpstu,
20 nabagam tā pastiepj devīgu plaukstu,
sūrdienim tā sniedz pretim rokas,
21 tai bail nav dēļ saimes, kad uznāk sniegs,
jo saime tai saģērbta divām kārtām,
22 pati tā segas auž,
linā un purpurā tērpjas,
23 tās vīru godā pilsētas vārtos,
kad šis sēžas starp zemes vecajiem,
24 tā darina smalkus kreklus un pārdod,
jostas tā tirgoņiem nodod,
25 spēkā un godībā tā tērpta,
ar smaidu tā sagaida nākamās dienas,
26 ar gudrību tā atdara muti,
sirsnīgi vārdi tai uz mēles,
27 tā uzmana, kā saimei klājas,
laiskuma maizi tā neēd!
28 Tās dēli pieceļas un svētī viņu,
tās vīrs viņu slavē:
29 daudz meitu, kas krietnas,
bet tu pārspēj visas!
30 Jaukums – tik māņi un skaistums – nieki,
sieva jāslavē par viņas dievbijību.
31 Atalgojiet to par viņas veikumu –
viņas darbi lai viņu slavē pilsētas vārtos!
