The Proverbs - Chapter 31

¹ The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa, taught him by his mother:

² What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!

³ Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on those who ruin kings.

⁴ Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor,

⁵ for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against all the poor.

⁶ Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy:

⁷ let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.

⁸ Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted;

⁹ make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched.

¹⁰ The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.

¹¹ Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.

¹² Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.

¹³ She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands.

¹⁴ She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.

¹⁶ She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.

¹⁸ She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.

²⁰ She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.

²¹ Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed.

²² She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes.

²⁵ She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come.

²⁶ When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.

²⁷ She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her.

²⁸ Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises:

²⁹ 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!'

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise.

³¹ Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.

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