---
title: Joseph Smith Translation (1867 edition)
description: Proverbs from the Joseph Smith Translation (JST), 1867 edition.
authors:
  - Smith, Joseph, Jr.
collections:
  - joseph-smith
tags:
  - translation
published: "1867"
publisher: RLDS Publication Board
publisher_place: Plano, Illinois
publisher_note: "The title page reads: Published by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints; Joseph Smith, I. L. Rogers, E. Robinson, Publishing Committee; 1867."
edition: First edition (Plano, 1867)
language: en
type: book
chapter: 31
verse_count: 31
reference: "Joseph Smith Jr., *Joseph Smith Translation*, first edition (Plano, IL: RLDS Publication Board, 1867), Proverbs, chap. 31, https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft."
source:
  url: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  identifier: holyscripturestr00smituoft
  scan: University of Toronto / Trinity College Library copy, Internet Archive
  transcription: "OCR text of the 1867 scans (Toronto copy and a second copy, holyscriptures00smit), reconciled word by word; Romans was also checked against the page images. Method, per-chapter validation log and known limits: docs/jst-1867-import.md."
rights:
  status: public-domain
  basis: 1867 US publication
  source: https://archive.org/details/holyscripturestr00smituoft
  publication_year: 1867
---

# Proverbs 31

**1** The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
**2** What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
**3** Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
**4** It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink;
**5** Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
**6** Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
**7** Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
**8** Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
**9** Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
**10** Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
**11** The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
**12** She will do him good and evil all the days of her life.
**13** She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
**14** She is like the merchants' ships she bringeth her food from afar.
**15** She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
**16** She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
**17** She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
**18** She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.
**19** She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
**20** She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
**21** She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
**22** She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
**23** Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
**24** She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
**25** Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
**26** She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
**27** She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
**28** Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
**29** Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
**30** Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
**31** Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.