31:1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him: |
31:2 "What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? |
31:3 Do not give your strength unto women, nor your ways unto that which destroys kings. |
31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink, |
31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the rights of all of the afflicted. |
31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts. |
31:7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
31:8 Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all who are appointed to destruction. |
31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her value is far above rubies. |
31:11 The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain. |
31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands. |
31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. |
31:15 She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her young maidens. |
31:16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. |
31:17 She binds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. |
31:18 She sees that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night. |
31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. |
31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
31:22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is silk and purple. |
31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. |
31:24 She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers girdles to the merchants. |
31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness. |
31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her: |
31:29 'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all.' |
31:30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. |
31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates." |