Proverbs 31

The Virtuous Woman

¹The words of king Lemuel ; the oracle which his mother taught him . ²What , my son ? and what , O son of my womb? And what , O 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 to say , Where is strong drink ? ⁵Lest they drink , and forget the law , And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted . ⁶Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul : 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 left desolate. ⁹Open thy mouth , judge righteously , And minister justice to the poor and needy .

The Praise of the Husband

¹⁰A worthy woman who can find ? For her price is far above rubies . ¹¹The heart of her husband trusteth in her , And he shall have no lack of gain . ¹²She doeth 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 merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar . ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night , And giveth food to her household , And their task to her maidens . ¹⁶She considereth a field , and buyeth it ; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard . ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength , And maketh strong her arms . ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night . ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the distaff , And her hands hold the spindle . ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor ; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy . ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household ; For all her household are clothed with scarlet . ²²She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry ; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. ²³Her husband is known in the gates , When he sitteth among the elders of the land. ²⁴She maketh linen garments and selleth them , And delivereth girdles unto the merchant . ²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing ; And she laugheth at the time to come. ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom ; And the law of kindness is on her tongue . ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household , And eateth not the bread of idleness . ²⁸Her children rise up , and call her blessed; Her husband also , and he praiseth her , saying : ²⁹Many daughters have done worthily , But thou excellest them all .

The Fear of the Lord

³⁰Grace is deceitful , and beauty is vain ; But a woman that feareth Jehovah , she shall be praised . ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands ; And let her works praise her in the gates .