Chapter 31

The Words of Lemuel

1 The words of King Lemuel, the 1oracle which his mother taught him:

2 What, O my son?

And what, O ason of my womb?

And what, O son of my bvows?

3 aDo not give your strength to women,

Or your ways to that which bdestroys kings.

4 It is not for akings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to bdrink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,

And apervert the 1rights of all the 2afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to him who is aperishing,

And wine to him 1bwhose life is bitter.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty

And remember his trouble no more.

8 aOpen your mouth for the mute,

For the 1rights of all the 2unfortunate.

9 Open your mouth, ajudge righteously,

And 1defend the brights of the afflicted and needy.

Description of a Worthy Woman

10 An aexcellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far babove jewels.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.

12 She does him good and not evil

All the days of her life.

13 She looks for wool and flax

And works with her 1hands 2in delight.

14 She is like amerchant ships;

She brings her food from afar.

15 She arises also while it is still night

And bgives food to her household

And 1portions to her maidens.

16 She considers a field and buys it;

From 1her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17 She agirds 1herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

18 She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her 1hands grasp the spindle.

20 She 1aextends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

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

For all her household are aclothed with scarlet.

22 She makes acoverings for herself;

Her clothing is bfine linen and cpurple.

23 Her husband is known ain the gates,

When he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes alinen garments and sells them,

And 1supplies belts to the 2tradesmen.

25 Strength and adignity are her clothing,

And she smiles at the 1future.

26 She aopens her mouth in wisdom,

And the 1teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household,

And does not eat the abread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and bless her;

Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29 “Many daughters have done nobly,

But you excel them all.”

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who 1afears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 Give her the 1product of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.