Proverbs 31:1-20 ▼

1 The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.

2 |What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?

3 Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.

4 |It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.

5 Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.

6 Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.

7 Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore.

8 |Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.

9 Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.|

10 |Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.

11 Her husband trusts her with [all] his heart, and he does not lack anything good.

12 She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.

13 |She seeks out wool and linen [with care] and works with willing hands.

14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.

15 She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves.

16 |She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.

17 She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.

18 She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night.

19 |She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle.

20 She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.