Proverbios 31:1-11

1 PALABRAS del rey Lemuel; la profecía con que le enseñó su madre.

2 ¿Qué, hijo mío? ¿y qué, hijo de mi vientre? ¿Y qué, hijo de mis deseos?

3 No des á las mujeres tu fuerza, Ni tus caminos á lo que es para destruir los reyes.

4 No es de los reyes, oh Lemuel, no es de los reyes beber vino, Ni de los príncipes la cerveza.

5 No sea que bebiendo olviden la ley, Y perviertan el derecho de todos los hijos afligidos.

6 Dad la cerveza al desfallecido, Y el vino á los de amargo ánimo:

7 Beban, y olvídense de su necesidad, Y de su miseria no más se acuerden.

8 Abre tu boca por el mudo, En el juicio de todos los hijos de muerte.

9 Abre tu boca, juzga justicia, Y el derecho del pobre y del menesteroso.

10 Mujer fuerte, ¿quién la hallará? Porque su estima sobrepuja largamente á la de piedras preciosas.

11 El corazón de su marido está en ella confiado, Y no tendrá necesidad de despojo.

Proverbios 31:1-11 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 31

This chapter contains the last part of the book of Proverbs; which some reckon the fifth, others the sixth. It contains the instructions of the mother of a prince, whose name was Lemuel, which she gave unto him; and which are so valuable, as to be annexed to the proverbs of Solomon. The preface or introduction to them is in Pr 31:1; the address to her son, Pr 31:2. The vices she cautions him against are uncleanness and intemperance; which she dissuades from, because of the pernicious consequences of both to kings and to their subjects, Pr 31:3-5. Advises rather to give wine and strong drink to poor people, such as are in distress; as being more useful to them, at least less prejudicial, Pr 31:6,7; and exhorts her son to the duties of his office; by pleading the cause of the poor and injured, and administering justice to them, Pr 31:8,9. And then at large describes a virtuous woman; perhaps designed as an instruction to her son in the choice of a wife, Pr 31:10-31; though more than that may be intended by it.