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."