31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother
taught him.
31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the
son of my vows?
31:3 Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which
destroyeth kings.
31:4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to
drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the
judgment of any of the afflicted.
31:6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine
to those that are of heavy hearts.
31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his
misery no more.
31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are
appointed to destruction.
31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of
the poor and needy.
31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far
above rubies.
31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that
he shall have no need of spoil.
31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her
life.
31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her
hands.
31:14 She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food
from afar.
31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to
her household, and a portion to her maidens.
31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of
her hands she planteth a vineyard.
31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her
arms.
31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle
goeth not out by night.
31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold
the distaff.
31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth
forth her hands to the needy.
31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all
her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing
[is] silk and purple.
31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among
the elders of the land.
31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth
girdles to the merchant.
31:25 Strength and honor [are] her clothing; and she shall
rejoice in time to come.
31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue [is]
the law of kindness.
31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth
not the bread of idleness.
31:28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband
[also], and he praiseth her.
31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest
them all.
31:30 Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman
[that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates.
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