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 judgment of 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 judgment to the poor and needy.

¹⁰ A virtuous 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 food from afar.

¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat 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 spreadeth 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 virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

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