Proverbs 31:1 ←
The words of king Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
Proverbs 31:2 ←
“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
Proverbs 31:3 ←
Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
Proverbs 31:4 ←
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
Proverbs 31:5 ←
lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
Proverbs 31:6 ←
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, 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 the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
Proverbs 31:9 ←
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
Proverbs 31:10 ←
Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
Proverbs 31:11 ←
The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
Proverbs 31:12 ←
She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
Proverbs 31:13 ←
She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
Proverbs 31:14 ←
She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
Proverbs 31:15 ←
She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
Proverbs 31:16 ←
She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31:17 ←
She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
Proverbs 31:18 ←
She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
Proverbs 31:19 ←
She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
Proverbs 31:20 ←
She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
Proverbs 31:21 ←
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
Proverbs 31:22 ←
She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Proverbs 31:23 ←
Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
Proverbs 31:24 ←
She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
Proverbs 31:25 ←
Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
Proverbs 31:26 ←
She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
Proverbs 31:27 ←
She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
Proverbs 31:28 ←
Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
Proverbs 31:29 ←
“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
Proverbs 31:30 ←
Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
Proverbs 31:31 ←
Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
Public Domain