Proverbs 31:1-17 ▼

1 The words of Lemuel the king, the lifting up which his mother will instruct him.

2 What, my son? and what the son of my womb? and what the son of my vows?

3 Thou shalt not give thy strength to women, and thy ways to the destroying of kings.

4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink and for princes the desire of strong drink:

5 Lest he shall drink and forget what is prescribed, and change the judgment of all the sons of affliction.

6 Ye shall give strong drink to him perishing, and wine to the bitter of soul.

7 He shall drink and forget his poverty, and shall no more remember his toil.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the judgment of all the sons of the surviving.

9 Open thy mouth; judge justly, and contend for the poor and needy.

10 Who shall find a woman of virtue? for her price is far above pearls.

11 The heart of her husband trusted in her, and he shall not want spoil.

12 She rewarded him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She sought wool and flax, and she will work in delight with her hands.

14 She was as the ships of the merchant; from far off she will bring her bread.

15 She will rise while yet night, and she will give food to her house, and a portion to her girls.

16 She purposed a field, and he will take it: from the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.

17 She girded her loins with strength, and she will strengthen her arms.