Proverbs 31

THE WORDS OF LEMUEL

31The words of King Lemuel,

a pronouncement^Dt that his mother taught him:

²What should I say, my son?

What, son of my womb?^u

What, son of my vows?

³Don’t spend your energy^v on women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings.^w

⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings^x to drink wine^y

or for rulers to desire beer.

⁵Otherwise, he will drink,

forget what is decreed,^z

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.^Aa

⁶Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter.^b

⁷Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more.^c

⁸Speak up for those who have no voice,^Cd

for the justice of all who are dispossessed.^D

⁹Speak up, judge righteously,^e

and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.^f

IN PRAISE OF A WIFE OF NOBLE CHARACTER

¹⁰Who can find a wife of noble character?^Eg

She is far more precious than jewels.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will not lack anything good.

¹²She rewards him with good, not evil,

all the days of her life.

¹³She selects wool and flax

and works with willing hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchant ships,

bringing her food from far away.^h

¹⁵She rises while it is still nightⁱ

and provides food for her household

and portions^G for her female servants.^j

¹⁶She evaluates a field and buys it;

she plants a vineyard with her earnings.^Hk

¹⁷She draws on her strength^I

and reveals that her arms are strong.^l

¹⁸She sees that her profits are good,

and her lamp never goes out at night.^m

¹⁹She extends her hands to the spinning staff,

and her hands hold the spindle.ⁿ

²⁰Her hands reach^J out to the poor,

and she extends her hands to the needy.^o

²¹She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all in her household are doubly clothed.^K

²²She makes her own bed coverings;^p

her clothing is fine linen^q and purple.^r

²³Her husband is known at the city gates,

where he sits among the elders of the land.^s

²⁴She makes and sells linen garments;

she delivers belts^A to the merchants.

²⁵Strength^t and honor are her clothing,^u

and she can laugh at the time to come.^v

²⁶Her mouth speaks wisdom,

and loving instruction^B is on her tongue.

²⁷She watches over the activities of her household^w

and is never idle.^C

²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed;

her husband also praises her:

²⁹“Many women^D have done noble deeds,

but you surpass them all!”^x

³⁰Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,^y

but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

³¹Give her the reward of her labor,^E

and let her works praise her at the city gates.