31:1 The words of King Lemuel,1
an oracle that his mother taught him:
31:2 O2 my son, O son of my womb,
O son3 of my vows,
31:3 Do not give your strength4 to women,
nor your ways5 to that which ruins6 kings.
31:4 It is not for kings,7 O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,8
or for rulers to crave9 strong drink,
31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,
and remove10 from all the poor11 their rights.12
31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,13
and wine to those who are distressed;14
31:7 let them15 drink and forget16 their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
31:8 Open your mouth17 on behalf of those unable to speak,18
for the legal rights of all the dying.19
31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,20
and plead the cause21 of the poor and needy.
The Wife of Noble Character22
31:10 Who can find23 a wife24 of noble character?25
For her value26 is far more than rubies.
31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence27 in her,
and he has no lack of gain.28
31:12 She brings him29 good and not evil30
all the days of her life.
31:13 She obtains31 wool and flax,
and she is pleased to work with her hands.32
31:14 She is like33 the merchant ships;34
she brings her food from afar.
31:15 She also gets up35 while it is still night,
and provides food36 for her household and a portion37 to her female servants.
31:16 She considers38 a field and buys it;
from her own income39 she plants a vineyard.
31:17 She begins40 her work vigorously,
and she strengthens41 her arms.
31:18 She knows42 that her merchandise is good,
and her lamp43 does not go out in the night.
31:19 Her hands44 take hold45 of the distaff,
and her hands grasp the spindle.
31:20 She extends46 her hand47 to the poor,
and reaches out her hand to the needy.
31:21 She is not48 afraid of the snow49 for her household,
for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.50
31:22 She makes for herself coverlets;51
her clothing is fine linen and purple.52
31:23 Her husband is well-known53 in the city gate54
when he sits with the elders55 of the land.
31:24 She makes linen garments56 and sells them,
and supplies the merchants57 with sashes.
31:25 She is clothed58 with strength59 and honor,60
and she can laugh61 at the time62 to come.
31:26 She opens her mouth63 with wisdom,
and loving instruction64 is on her tongue.
31:27 She watches over65 the ways of her household,
and does not eat the bread of idleness.66
31:28 Her children rise up67 and call her blessed,
her husband68 also praises her:
31:29 “Many69 daughters70 have done valiantly,71
but you surpass them all.”
31:30 Charm is deceitful72 and beauty is fleeting,73
but a woman who fears the Lord74 will be praised.