Proverbs 31

1 The words of King Lemuel—an instruction his mother taught him.⋮

2 What, my son? What is it, son of my womb? What do you want, son of my vows?⋮

3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings.⋮

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,⋮

5 because when they drink they forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.⋮

6 Give strong drink to a person who is perishing and wine to those in bitter distress.⋮

7 He will drink and he will forget his poverty and he will not remember his trouble.⋮

8 Speak for those who cannot speak, for the causes of all who are perishing.⋮

9 Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right and plead the cause of poor and needy people.⋮

10 Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far more than jewels.⋮

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never be poor.⋮

12 She does good things for him and not evil all the days of her life.⋮

13 She selects wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.⋮

14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from far away.⋮

15 She rises while it is night and gives food to her household, and she distributes the work for her female servants.⋮

16 She considers a field and buys it, with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.⋮

17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.⋮

18 She perceives what will make a good profit for her; all night long her lamp is not extinguished.⋮

19 She puts her hands on the spindle, and she holds the twisting thread.⋮

20 She reaches out with her hand to poor people; she reaches out with her hands to needy people.⋮

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.⋮

22 She makes coverings for her bed, and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.⋮

23 Her husband is known at the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.⋮

24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and she supplies sashes to the merchants.⋮

25 She is clothed with strength and honor, and she laughs at the time to come.⋮

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom and the law of kindness is on her tongue.⋮

27 She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.⋮

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed, and her husband praises her, saying,⋮

29 “Many women have done well, but you surpassed them all.”⋮

30 Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain, but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.⋮

31 Give her the fruit of her hands and let her works praise her in the gates.⋮