31
1 The
words of King
Lemuel—the revelation
which his mother
taught him:
2 “Oh, my
son!
Oh, son of
my womb!
Oh, son of my
vows!
3 Don’t give
your strength
to women,
nor your ways to
that which
destroys kings.
4 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 the law,
and pervert the
justice due to
anyone who is
afflicted.
6 Give
strong drink to
him who is ready
to perish,
and wine to
the bitter in
soul.
7 Let
him drink, and
forget his poverty,
and remember his
misery no more.
8 Open
your mouth for
the mute,
in the cause
of all who
are left desolate.
9 Open
your mouth, judge
righteously,
and serve justice
to the poor
and needy.”
10 Who can find
a worthy woman?
For her value is
far above rubies.
11 The
heart of her
husband trusts in
her.
He shall have
no lack of
gain.
12 She
does him good,
and not harm,
all the days
of her life.
13 She
seeks wool and
flax,
and works eagerly
with her hands.
14 She is
like the
merchant ships.
She brings her bread
from afar.
15 She
rises also while
it is yet
night,
gives food to
her household,
and portions for
her servant girls.
16 She
considers a field,
and buys it.
With the fruit
of her hands,
she plants a
vineyard.
17 She arms
her waist with
strength,
and makes her
arms strong.
18 She perceives that
her merchandise
is profitable.
Her lamp doesn’t
go out by
night.
19 She lays
her hands to
the distaff,
and her hands
hold the spindle.
20 She opens
her arms to
the poor;
yes, she extends
her hands to
the needy.
21 She
is not afraid
of the snow
for her household,
for all her
household are
clothed with
scarlet.
22 She makes
for herself carpets of
tapestry.
Her clothing is
fine linen
and purple.
23 Her
husband is respected
in the gates,
when he sits
among the elders
of the land.
24 She makes
linen garments and
sells them,
and delivers sashes
to the merchant.
25 Strength
and dignity are
her clothing.
She laughs at the
time to come.
26 She
opens her mouth
with wisdom.
Kind instruction is
on her tongue.
27 She
looks well to
the ways of her
household,
and doesn’t eat
the bread of
idleness.
28 Her
children rise up
and call her blessed.
Her husband also
praises her:
29 “Many
women do noble
things,
but you excel
them all.”
30 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
hands!
Let her works
praise her in
the gates!