Proverbs Chapter 31

{31:1} The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

{31:2} What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

{31:3} Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

{31:4} [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

{31:5} Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

{31:6} Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

{31:7} Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

{31:8} Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

{31:9} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

{31:10} Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

{31:11} The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

{31:12} She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

{31:13} She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

{31:14} She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

{31:15} She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

{31:16} She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

{31:17} She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

{31:18} She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.

{31:19} She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

{31:20} She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

{31:21} She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.

{31:22} She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

{31:23} Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

{31:24} She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it;] and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

{31:25} Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

{31:26} She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

{31:27} She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

{31:28} Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also,] and he praiseth her.

{31:29} Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

{31:30} Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

{31:31} Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.