Pro31:1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
Pro31:2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
Pro31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
Pro31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
Pro31:5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Pro31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
Pro31:7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
Pro31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
Pro31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
Pro31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
Pro31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
Pro31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
Pro31:13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
Pro31:14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
Pro31:15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
Pro31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Pro31:17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
Pro31:18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
Pro31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
Pro31:20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
Pro31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Pro31:22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Pro31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
Pro31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
Pro31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
Pro31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
Pro31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
Pro31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
Pro31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
Pro31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
Pro31:31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.