The Proverbs

31: 1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

 ^31:2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?

 And what, O son of my vows?

 ^31:3Give not thy strength unto women,

 Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

 ^31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;

 Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

 ^31:5Lest they drink, and forget the law,

 And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

 ^31:6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

 And wine unto the bitter in soul:

 ^31:7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

 And remember his misery no more.

 ^31:8Open thy mouth for the dumb,

 In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

 ^31:9Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

 And minister justice to the poor and needy.
 
 

 ^31:10A worthy woman who can find?

 For her price is far above rubies.

 ^31:11The heart of her husband trusteth in her,

 And he shall have no lack of gain.

 ^31:12She doeth him good and not evil

 All the days of her life.

 ^31:13She seeketh wool and flax,

 And worketh willingly with her hands.

 ^31:14She is like the merchant-ships;

 She bringeth her bread from afar.

 ^31:15She riseth also while it is yet night,

 And giveth food to her household,

 And their task to her maidens.

 ^31:16She considereth a field, and buyeth it;

 With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

 ^31:17She girdeth her loins with strength,

 And maketh strong her arms.

 ^31:18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:

 Her lamp goeth not out by night.

 ^31:19She layeth her hands to the distaff,

 And her hands hold the spindle.

 ^31:20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

 Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

 ^31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household;

 For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

 ^31:22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;

 Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

 ^31:23Her husband is known in the gates,

 When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

 ^31:24She maketh linen garments and selleth them,

 And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

 ^31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing;

 And she laugheth at the time to come.

 ^31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom;

 And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

 ^31:27She looketh well to the ways of her household,

 And eateth not the bread of idleness.

 ^31:28Her children rise up, and call her blessed;

 Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

 ^31:29Many daughters have done worthily,

 But thou excellest them all.

 ^31:30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;

 But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

 ^31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands;

 And let her works praise her in the gates.