Proverbs 31

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

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

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.footnote afootnote b

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.footnote c

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

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.footnote d

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that 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 worketh willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

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

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

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.footnote f

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.footnote g

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.footnote h

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.footnote i

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: 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.

The Sayings for King Lemuel

1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

2What shall I say,footnote aO my son?What, O son of my womb?What, O son of my vows? 3Do not spend your strength on womenor your vigor on those who ruin kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kings to drink wine,or for rulers to crave strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed,depriving all the oppressed of justice.

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing,and wine to the bitter in soul. 7Let him drink and forget his poverty,and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for those with no voice,for the cause of all the dispossessed. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously,and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

10A wifefootnote bof noble character, who can find?She is far more precious than rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he lacks nothing of value. 12She brings him good and not harmall the days of her life. 13She selects wool and flaxand works with eager hands. 14She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.

15She rises while it is still nightto provide food for her householdand portions for her maidservants. 16She appraises a field and buys it;from her earnings she plants a vineyard. 17She girds herselffootnote cwith strengthand shows that her arms are strong. 18She sees that her gain is good,and her lamp is not extinguished at night. 19She stretches out her hands to the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.

20She opens her arms to the poorand reaches out her hands to the needy. 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household,for they are all clothed in scarlet.footnote d 22She makes coverings for her bed;her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known at the city gates,where he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them;she delivers sashes to the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing,and she can laugh at the days to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27She watches over the affairs of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband praises her as well: 29“Many daughters have done noble things,but you surpass them all!”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. 31Give her the fruit of her hands,and let her works praise her at the gates.