Proverbs 31
1The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him. 1
2What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? 1 What do you want, son of my vows? 1
3Do not give your strength to women, 1 or your ways to those who destroy kings. 1
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, 1 or for rulers to crave strong drink, 1
5because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, 1 and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 1
6Give strong drink to a person who is perishing 1 and wine to those in bitter distress. 1
7He will drink and he will forget his poverty 1 and he will not remember his trouble. 1
8Speak for those who cannot speak, 1 for the causes of all who are perishing. 1
9Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right 1 and plead the cause of poor and needy people. 1
10Who can find a capable wife? 1 Her value is far more than jewels. 1
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, 1 and he will never be poor. 1
12She does good things for him and not evil 1 all the days of her life. 1
13She selects wool and flax, 1 and works with the delight of her hands. 1
14She is like the merchant ships; 1 she brings her food from far away. 1
15She rises while it is night 1 and gives food to her household, 1 and she distributes the work for her female servants. 1
16She considers a field and buys it, 1 with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 1
17She dresses herself with strength 1 and makes her arms strong. 1
18She perceives what will make a good profit for her; 1 all night long her lamp is not extinguished. 1
19She puts her hands on the spindle, 1 and she holds the twisting thread. 1
20She reaches out with her hand to poor people; 1 she reaches out with her hands to needy people. 1
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, 1 for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 1
22She makes coverings for her bed, 1 and she wears clothes of fine purple linen. 1
23Her husband is known at the gates, 1 when he sits with the elders of the land. 1
24She makes linen garments and sells them, 1 and she supplies sashes to the merchants. 1
25She is clothed with strength and honor, 1 and she laughs at the time to come. 1
26She opens her mouth with wisdom 1 and the law of kindness is on her tongue. 1
27She watches over the ways of her household 1 and does not eat the bread of idleness. 1
28Her children rise up and call her blessed, 1 and her husband praises her, saying, 1
29“Many women have done well, 1 but you surpassed them all.” 1
30Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, 1 but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised. 1
31Give her the fruit of her hands 1 and let her works praise her in the gates.