31:1  Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

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

31:3  Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.

31:4  Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.

31:5  Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

31:6  Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,

31:7  He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.

31:8  Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.

31:9  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'

31:10  A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies `is' her price.

31:11  The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not.

31:12  She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.

31:13  She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh `with' her hands.

31:14  She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.

31:15  Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.

31:16  She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

31:17  She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.

31:18  She hath perceived when her merchandise `is' good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

31:19  Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.

31:20  Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.

31:21  She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed `with' scarlet.

31:22  Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple `are' her clothing.

31:23  Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.

31:24  Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.

31:25  Strength and honour `are' her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.

31:26  Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness `is' on her tongue.

31:27  She `is' watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.

31:28  Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,

31:29  `Many `are' the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'

31:30  The grace `is' false, and the beauty `is' vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.

31:31  Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do praise her in the gates!