Chapter 31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught¹⁴ him.

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Give⁴ not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth⁵³ kings.

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink² wine; nor for princes^{6 335 176} strong drink:

Lest they drink,⁴ and forget⁴ the law,³⁰ and pervert¹⁷ the judgment of any of the afflicted. ⁶⁰⁴⁰

Give³ strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,⁶ and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Let him drink,⁴ and forget⁴ his poverty, and remember⁴ his misery no more.

Open³ thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Open³ thy mouth, judge³ righteously, and plead³ the cause of the poor and needy.

Who can find⁴ a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust¹ in her, so that he shall have no need⁴ of spoil.

She will do¹ him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh¹ wool, and flax, and worketh⁴ willingly with her hands.

She is like the merchants'⁶ ships; she bringeth⁵⁵ her food from afar.

She riseth⁴ also while it is yet night, and giveth⁴ meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth¹ a field, and buyeth⁴ it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth¹ a vineyard.

She girdeth¹ her loins with strength, and strengtheneth¹⁷ her arms.

She perceiveth¹ that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out⁴ by night.

She layeth¹⁴ her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold¹ the distaff.

She stretcheth¹ out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth¹⁴ her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid⁴ of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed⁷ with scarlet.

She maketh¹ herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

Her husband is known¹² in the gates, when he sitteth² among the elders of the land.

She maketh¹ fine linen, and selleth⁴ [it]; and delivereth¹ girdles unto the merchant.

Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice⁴ in time to come.

She openeth¹ her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

She looketh well⁶ to the ways ¹⁹⁷⁹ of her household, and eateth⁴ not the bread of idleness.

Her children arise up,¹ and call her blessed;¹⁷ her husband [also], and he praiseth¹⁷ her.

Many daughters have done¹ virtuously, but thou excellest¹ them all.

Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.¹⁰¹

Give³ her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise¹⁷ her in the gates.