Proverbs 31

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

² What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O 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 to say, Where is strong drink?

⁵ Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

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 left desolate.

⁹ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

¹⁰ A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

¹² She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

¹³ She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task 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 maketh strong her arms.

¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.

¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

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 for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

²⁹ Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.