Proverbs 31:1
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
Proverbs 31:2
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
Proverbs 31:3
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
Proverbs 31:4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
Proverbs 31:5
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
Proverbs 31:7
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
Proverbs 31:8
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
Proverbs 31:9
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:10
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
Proverbs 31:11
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
Proverbs 31:12
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
Proverbs 31:14
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
Proverbs 31:15
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
Proverbs 31:16
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:17
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
Proverbs 31:18
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
Proverbs 31:19
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
Proverbs 31:20
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
Proverbs 31:22
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
Proverbs 31:25
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:28
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
Proverbs 31:29
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Proverbs 31:31
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.