Proverbs 31:1-28

The Words of Lemuel

31:1 The words of King Lemuel,

an oracle that his mother taught him:

31:2 O my son, O son of my womb,

O son of my vows,

31:3 Do not give your strength to women,

nor your ways to that which ruins kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to crave strong drink,

31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,

and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

31:7 let them drink and forget their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,

for the legal rights of all the dying.

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,

and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

The Wife of Noble Character

31:10 Who can find a wife of noble character?

For her value is far more than rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband has confidence in her,

and he has no lack of gain.

31:12 She brings him good and not evil

all the days of her life.

31:13 She obtains wool and flax,

and she is pleased to work with her hands.

31:14 She is like the merchant ships;

she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She also gets up while it is still night,

and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

31:16 She considers a field and buys it;

from her own income she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She begins her work vigorously,

and she strengthens her arms.

31:18 She knows that her merchandise is good,

and her lamp does not go out in the night.

31:19 Her hands take hold of the distaff,

and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20 She extends her hand to the poor,

and reaches out her hand to the needy.

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

for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22 She makes for herself coverlets;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is well-known in the city gate

when he sits with the elders of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them,

and supplies the merchants with sashes.

31:25 She is clothed with strength and honor,

and she can laugh at the time to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and loving instruction is on her tongue.

31:27 She watches over the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

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

her husband also praises her: