31:1  The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

31:2  What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

31:3   Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4  It does not seem proper for kings, O Lemuel, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

31:5  For they will drink and forget what they have decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink to him who perishes, And wine to him whose life has become bitter.

31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

31:8   Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

31:10  An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth far exceeds jewels.

31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

31:12  She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

31:13  She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

31:14  She resembles merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

31:15  She rises also in the night time And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

31:16  She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

31:17  She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

31:18  She senses that her gain seems good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

31:19  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20  She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

31:21  She does not fear the snow for her household, For she clothes all her household with scarlet.

31:22  She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing consists of fine linen and purple.

31:23  People know her husband in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

31:25  Strength and dignity have become her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

31:26  She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness resides on her tongue.

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 bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

31:29  "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

31:30  We find charm deceitful and beauty as vanity, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall receive praise.

31:31  Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.