ProverbsChapter 31
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1These are the words of King Lemuel.
They are a message his mother taught him:a 2What should I tell you, my son?
What, son I carried in my womb?
What, son I made vows for? 3Do not spend your strength on women.
Do not give your energy to those who ruin kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel.
It is not for kings to drink wine.
It is not for rulers to long for strong drink. 5If they drink, they may forget what the law says.
Then they will take justice away from all who are crushed by others. 6Give strong drink to someone who is dying.
Give wine to those whose hearts are bitter. 7Let him drink and forget how poor he is.
Let him not remember his misery anymore. 8Speak up for those who have no voice.
Speak up for the rights of all who have lost everything. 9Speak up and judge in a way that is right.
Defend the rights of the poor and needy. 10Who can find a wife of noble character?
She is worth far more than rubies. 11Her husband trusts her with all his heart.
He never lacks anything of value. 12She does him good and not harm
all the days of her life. 13She chooses wool and flax.
She works with eager hands.b 14She is like the trading ships.
She brings her food from far away. 15She gets up while it is still dark.
She gets food ready for her family.
She gives portions to her female servants. 16She looks over a field and buys it.
With the money she earns, she plants a vineyard. 17She dresses herself with strength.
She shows that her arms are strong. 18She sees that her trading earns a good profit.
Her lamp does not go out at night. 19She reaches her hands out to the distaff.
Her fingers hold the spindle.c 20She opens her arms to the poor.
She reaches out her hands to the needy. 21When it snows, she is not afraid for her family.
For all of them are dressed in scarlet. 22She makes covers for her bed.
Her clothes are fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is well known at the city gates.
He sits there with the elders of the land. 24She makes linen clothes and sells them.
She supplies sashes to the merchants. 25She is clothed with strength and honor.
She can laugh at the days to come. 26When she opens her mouth, she speaks with wisdom.
Faithful teaching is on her tongue. 27She watches over everything in her home.
She does not eat the bread of laziness. 28Her children get up and call her blessed.
Her husband praises her too: 29"Many women have done noble things,
but you are better than them all!" 30Charm can fool you, and beauty fades.
But a woman who fears the LORD should be praised. 31Give her the reward her hands have earned.
Let her works bring her praise at the city gates.