Proverbs 31

The Virtuous Woman

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 . ⁶Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish , and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts . 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 . ⁹Open thy mouth , judge righteously , and plead the cause of the poor and needy .

The Praise of the Husband

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 . ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength , and strengtheneth her arms . ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good : her candle goeth not out by night . 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 . ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household : for all her household are clothed with scarlet . 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.

The Fear of the Lord

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 .