Proverbs 31

¹The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

²What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

³Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

⁵For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

⁶Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

⁷Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

⁸Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

⁹Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

¹⁰Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

¹¹The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

¹²She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

¹³She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

¹⁴She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

¹⁵She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

¹⁶After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

¹⁷She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

¹⁹She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

²⁰Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

²¹She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

²²She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

²³Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

²⁴She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

²⁵Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

²⁶Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

²⁷She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

²⁸Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

²⁹Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

³⁰Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

³¹Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

Proverbs 31

¹The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

²"Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

³Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'

⁵lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

⁶Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

⁸Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

⁹Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy."

¹⁰Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

¹²She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

¹³She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

¹⁵She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

¹⁶She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

¹⁹She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

²⁰She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

²²She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

²⁹"Many women do noble things, but you excel them all."

³⁰Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!