^31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the oracle which his mother instructed him.

    ^31:2 What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? ^31:3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to what destroys kings.

    ^31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? ^31:5 Lest they drink and forget the law and pervert the justice due to any who is afflicted.

    ^31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish and wine to the bitter in soul. ^31:7 Let him drink and forget his need and remember his misery no more.

    ^31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all such as are left desolate. ^31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously and minister justice to the poor and needy.

    ^31:10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. ^31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her and he will have no lack of gain. ^31:12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

    ^31:13 She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands. ^31:14 She is like the merchant ships: she brings her bread from afar.

    ^31:15 She also rises while it is yet night and gives food to her household and their task to her maidens.

    ^31:16 She considers a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard with the fruit of her hands.

    ^31:17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong. ^31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out by night.

    ^31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff {a tool} and her hands hold the spindle.

    ^31:20 She stretches out her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

    ^31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, because all her household are clothed with scarlet.

    ^31:22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

    ^31:23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

    ^31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchant.

    ^31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and she laughs at the time to come.

    ^31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

    ^31:27 She looks well to the traveling of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

    ^31:28 Her sons rise up and call her fortunate. Her husband also and he praises her.

    ^31:29 Many daughters have done worthily, but you excel them all.

    ^31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she will be praised.

    ^31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.