Zhēnyán 31:1-9

1 Lìmùyīlè wáng de yányǔ , shì tā mǔqin jiàoxun tāde zhēn yán .

2 Wǒde ér a, wǒ fù zhōng shēng de ér a , wǒ xǔyuàn dé de ér a , wǒ dāng zĕnyàng jiàoxun nǐ ne .

3 Búyào jiāng nǐde jīng lì gĕi fùnǚ , yĕ búyào yǒu baìhuaì jūnwáng de xíngwéi .

4 Lìmùyīlè a , jūnwáng hē jiǔ , jūnwáng hē jiǔ bù xiāngyí . wáng zǐ shuō , nóng jiǔ zaì nàli yĕ bù xiāngyí .

5 Kǒngpà hē le jiù wàngjì lǜ lì , diāndǎo yīqiè kùnkǔ rén de shìfēi .

6 Kĕyǐ bǎ nóng jiǔ gĕi jiāng wáng de rén hē . bǎ qīng jiǔ gĕi kǔ xīn de rén hē .

7 Ràng tāmen hē le , jiù wàngjì tāde pínqióng , bú zaì jìniàn tāde kǔchǔ .

8 Nǐ dāng wèi yǎba ( huò zuò bùnéng zì biàn de ) kāikǒu , wéi yīqiè gū dú de shēnyuān .

9 Nǐ dāng kāikǒu àn gōngyì pànduàn , wèi kùnkǔ hé qióngfá de biàn qū .

Zhēnyán 31:1-9 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.