Proverbs 31

1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

2 What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?

“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

3 Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.

Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:

It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

5 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.

lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:

Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.

Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9 Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.

Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.

The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good.

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.

She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

14 She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.

She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and [appointed] tasks to her maidens.

She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

16 She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

19 She reaches forth her arms to needful [works], and applies her hands to the spindle.

She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.

She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.

She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 And her husband becomes a distinguished [person] in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.

Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.

She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

25 She puts on strength and honor; and rejoices in the last days.

Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

27 The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

28 And [her] kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.

Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.

“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

30 Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.

Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!