The Proverbs (WEB)

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

 ^31:2"Oh, my son!"
      Oh, son of my womb!
      Oh, son of my vows!

 ^31:3Don't give your strength to women,
      Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

 ^31:4It is not for kings, 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 anyone who is afflicted.

 ^31:6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish;
      And wine to the bitter in soul:

 ^31:7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
      And remember his misery no more.

 ^31:8Open your mouth for the mute,
      In the cause of all who are left desolate.

 ^31:9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
      And serve justice to the poor and needy."

  ^31:10Who can find a worthy woman?
      For her price is far above rubies.

 ^31:11The heart of her husband trusts in her.
      He shall have no lack of gain.

 ^31:12She does him good, and not harm,
      All the days of her life.

 ^31:13She seeks wool and flax,
      And works eagerly with her hands.

 ^31:14She is like the merchant ships.
      She brings her bread from afar.

 ^31:15She rises also while it is yet night,
      Gives food to her household,
      And their task to her servant girls.

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

 ^31:17She girds her loins with strength,
      And makes her arms strong.

 ^31:18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
      Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

 ^31:19She lays her hands to the distaff,
      And her hands hold the spindle.

 ^31:20She stretches out her hand to the poor;
      Yes, she reaches 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
      Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

 ^31:23Her husband is respected in the gates,
      When he sits among the elders of the land.

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

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

 ^31:26She opens her mouth with wisdom.
      Instruction of faithfulness is on her tongue.

 ^31:27She looks well to the ways of her household,
      And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

 ^31:28Her children rise up and call her blessed.
      Her husband also praises her:

 ^31:29"Many women do noble things,
      But you excel them all."

 ^31:30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
      But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

 ^31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands;
      Let her works praise her in the gates.