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

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

31:3  Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

31:5  Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

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

31:8  Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

31:10  Who can find a virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.

31:11  The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So 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 seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.

31:14  She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.

31:15  She also rises while it is yet night,
And provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.

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

31:17  She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.

31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.

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

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

31:21  She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

31:22  She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23  Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.

31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.

31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

31:27  She watches over 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 well,
But you excel them all.'

31:30  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
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.