Proverbs 31

¹ The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

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

³ Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, 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 anyone who is afflicted.

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

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

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

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

¹⁰ ¹Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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