Proverbs Chapter 31

1THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL: The prophecy which his mother taught him.

2What my son! and what the son of my womb! and what, O son of my desires!

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways which is to destroy kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink,

5Lest he drink and forget the decree, and change the judgment of all the children of affliction.

6Give ye strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto them that have grief of heart.

7Let him drink, that he may forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all the children of destruction.

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and judge the afflicted, and the poor.

10Who shall find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above the pearls.

11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoil.

12She will do him good, and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeketh wool and flax, and laboreth cheerfully with her hands.

14She is like the ships of merchants: she bringeth her food from afar.

15And she ariseth, while it is yet night: and giveth the portion to her household, and the ordinary to her maids.

16She considereth a field, and getteth it: and with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She feeleth that her merchandise is good: her candle is not put out by night.

19She putteth her hands to the wheel, and her hands handle the spindle.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor, and putteth forth her hands to the needy.

21She feareth not the snow for her family: for all her family is clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh herself carpets: fine linen and purple is her garment.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth with the Elders of the land.

24She maketh sheets, and selleth them, and giveth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honor is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall rejoice.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and the law of grace is in her tongue.

27She overseeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up, and call her blessed: her husband also shall praise her, saying,

29Many daughters have done virtuously: but thou surmountest them all.

30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vanity: but a woman that feareth the Lord she shall be praised.

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