Proverbs 31:1–12
The Words of King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
And what, son of my womb?
And what, ason of my vows?
3 bDo not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways cto that which destroys kings.
4 dIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
5 eLest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all 1the afflicted.
6 fGive strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
8 gOpen your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are 2appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, hjudge righteously,
And iplead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 jWho 3can find a 4virtuous wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.