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Proverbs 31:3

Self-controlPurity

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?

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.

Read the whole chapter

Do read the surrounding verses too, because the context often says more than a single verse.

Compare

BSB
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
KJV
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
WEB
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
ASV
Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
DARBY
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
BLB
Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to wiping away kings.
ÅB
Gi ikke kvinner din kraft, og gå ikke på veier som fører til ødeleggelse for konger!
OTB
Gi ikke din styrke til kvinner, heller ikke dine veier til dem som ødelegger konger.
B1930
Gi ikke kvinner din kraft, og gå ikke på veier som fører til ødeleggelse for konger!

Study notes (Tyndale)

Original text and word study

Cross references

  • Deuteronomy 17:17

    Neither shall he multiply wives to himself, that his heart turn not away: neither shall he greatly multiply to himself silver and gold.

    Read in context

  • Nehemiah 13:26

    Did not Solomon king of Israel sin by these things? yet among many nations was there no king like him, who was beloved of his God, and God made him king over all Israel: nevertheless even him did outlandish women cause to sin.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 7:26–27

    For she hath cast down many wounded: yea, many strong men have been slain by her.

    Read in context

  • Proverbs 5:9–11

    Lest thou give thine honour unto others, and thy years unto the cruel:

    Read in context

  • 1 Kings 11:1

    But king Solomon loved many strange women, together with the daughter of Pharaoh, women of the Moabites, Ammonites, Edomites, Zidonians, and Hittites;

    Read in context

  • Hosea 4:11

    Whoredom and wine and new wine take away the heart.

    Read in context