Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

31:1 The words of King Lemuel,1

an oracle2 that his mother taught him:

31:2 O3 my son, O son of my womb,

O son4 of my vows,

31:3 Do not give your strength5 to women,

nor your ways6 to that which ruins7 kings.

31:4 It is not for kings,8 O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,9

or for rulers to crave strong drink,10

31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,

and remove11 from all the poor12 their legal rights.13

31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,14

and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;15

31:7 let them16 drink and forget17 their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth18 on behalf of those unable to speak,19

for the legal rights of all the dying.20

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,21

and plead the cause22 of the poor and needy.

The Wife of Noble Character23

31:10 Who can find24 a wife25 of noble character?26

For her value27 is far more than rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence28 in her,

and he has no lack of gain.29

31:12 She brings him30 good and not evil31

all the days of her life.

31:13 She obtains32 wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands.33

31:14 She is like34 the merchant ships;35

she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She also gets up36 while it is still night,

and provides food37 for her household and a portion38 to her female servants.

31:16 She considers39 a field and buys it;

from her own income40 she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She begins41 her work vigorously,

and she strengthens42 her arms.

31:18 She knows43 that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp44 does not go out in the night.

31:19 Her hands45 take hold46 of the distaff,

and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She extends47 her hand48 to the poor,

and reaches out her hand to the needy.

31:21 She is not49 afraid of the snow50 for her household,

for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.51

31:22 She makes for herself coverlets;52

her clothing is fine linen and purple.53

31:23 Her husband is well-known54 in the city gate55

when he sits with the elders56 of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments57 and sells them,

and supplies the merchants58 with sashes.

31:25 She is clothed59 with strength60 and honor,61

and she can laugh62 at the time63 to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth64 with wisdom,

and loving instruction65 is on her tongue.

31:27 She watches over66 the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.67

31:28 Her children rise up68 and call her blessed,

her husband69 also praises her:

31:29 “Many70 daughters71 have done valiantly,72

but you surpass them all!”

31:30 Charm is deceitful73 and beauty is fleeting,74

but a woman who fears the Lord75 will be praised.

31:31 Give76 her credit for what she has accomplished,77

and let her works praise her78 in the city gates.79