Proverbs 31

The Words of Lemuel

31The words of King Lemuel,

an oracle ^mnthat his mother taught him:

²What should I say, my son?

What, son of my womb? ^o

What, son of my vows?

³Don’t spend your energy ^pon women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings. ^q

⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings ^rto drink wine ^s

or for rulers to desire beer.

⁵Otherwise, they ^twill drink,

forget what is decreed, ^u

and pervert justice for all the oppressed. ^vw

⁶Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter. ^x

⁷Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more. ^y

⁸Speak up ^zfor those who have no voice, ^ab

for the justice of all who are dispossessed. ^c

⁹Speak up, ^djudge righteously, ^e

and defend the cause of ^fthe oppressed and needy. ^g

In Praise of a Capable Wife

¹⁰Who can find a capable wife? ^hi

She is far more precious than jewels. ^j

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. ^k

¹⁵She rises while it is still night ^l

and provides food for her household

and portions ^mfor her female servants. ⁿ

¹⁶She evaluates a field and buys it;

she plants a vineyard with her earnings. ^op

¹⁷She draws on her strength ^q

and reveals that her arms are strong. ^r

¹⁸She sees that her profits are good,

and her lamp never goes out at night. ^s

¹⁹She extends her hands to the spinning staff,

and her hands hold the spindle. ^t

²⁰Her hands reach ^uout to the poor,

and she extends her hands to the needy. ^v

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

for all in her household are doubly clothed. ^w

²²She makes her own bed coverings; ^x

her clothing is fine linen ^yand purple. ^z

²³Her husband is known at the city gates,

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

²⁴She makes and sells linen garments;

she delivers belts ^bto the merchants.

²⁵Strength ^cand honor are her clothing, ^d

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

²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom

and loving instruction ^fis on her tongue.

²⁷She watches over the activities of her household ^g

and is never idle. ^h

²⁸Her sons rise up and call her blessed.

Her husband also praises her:

²⁹“Many women ⁱare capable,

but you surpass them all!” ^j

³⁰Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, ^k

but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

³¹Give her the reward of her labor, ^l

and let her works praise her at the city gates.