31
1 The words of King Lemuel, an oracle his mother taught him:
2 “What, my son?
What, son of my womb?
What, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women or your ways to what destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those bitter in soul.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, for the cause of all who are passing away.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.”
10 A wife of noble character—who can find her?
Her worth is far above jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack no gain.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax and works willingly with her hands.
14 She is like merchant ships;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household and a portion to her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her waist with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her trade is profitable;
her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She reaches her hands to the distaff, and her palms hold the spindle.
20 She opens her palm to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
she supplies sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the day to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise and call her blessed;
her husband also praises her:
29 “Many women have acted nobly, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.