Proverbs 31

^{Proverbs 31:1} These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

^{Proverbs 31:2} What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

^{Proverbs 31:3} Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

^{Proverbs 31:4} It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

^{Proverbs 31:5} lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

^{Proverbs 31:6} Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

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

^{Proverbs 31:8} Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

^{Proverbs 31:9} Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

^{Proverbs 31:10} A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

^{Proverbs 31:11} The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

^{Proverbs 31:12} She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

^{Proverbs 31:13} She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

^{Proverbs 31:14} She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

^{Proverbs 31:15} She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

^{Proverbs 31:16} She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

^{Proverbs 31:17} She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

^{Proverbs 31:18} She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

^{Proverbs 31:19} She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

^{Proverbs 31:20} She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

^{Proverbs 31:21} When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

^{Proverbs 31:22} She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

^{Proverbs 31:23} Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.

^{Proverbs 31:24} She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

^{Proverbs 31:25} Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

^{Proverbs 31:26} She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

^{Proverbs 31:27} She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

^{Proverbs 31:28} Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

^{Proverbs 31:29} “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

^{Proverbs 31:30} Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

^{Proverbs 31:31} Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.