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31:1  The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
31:2  What, my son? What, son who came from within me? What, son of my promises?
31:3  Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings.
31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.
31:5  Or they might drink and forget the law, and go against the rights of all who are suffering.
31:6  Give strong drink to him who is about to die, and wine to him whose life is full of trouble.
31:7  Let him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no more.
31:8  Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, and for the rights of those who are left without help.
31:9  Open your mouth. Be right and fair in what you decide. Stand up for the rights of those who are suffering and in need.
31:10  Who can find a good wife? For she is worth far more than rubies that make one rich.
31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never stop getting good things.
31:12  She does him good and not bad all the days of her life.
31:13  She looks for wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
31:14  She is like ships that trade. She brings her food from far away.
31:15  She rises while it is still night and makes food for all those in her house. She gives work for the young women to do.
31:16  She gives careful thought to a field and buys it. She plants grape-vines from what she has earned.
31:17  She makes herself ready with strength, and makes her arms strong.
31:18  She sees that what she has earned is good. Her lamp does not go out at night.
31:19  She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.
31:20  She opens her hand to the poor, and holds out her hands to those in need.
31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for those in her house, for all of them are dressed in red.
31:22  She makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth and purple.
31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the leaders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen clothes and sells them. She brings belts to those who trade.
31:25  Her clothes are strength and honor. She is full of joy about the future.
31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
31:27  She looks well to the ways of those in her house, and does not eat the bread of doing nothing.
31:28  Her children rise up and honor her. Her husband does also, and he praises her, saying:
31:29  “Many daughters have done well, but you have done better than all of them.”
31:30  Pleasing ways lie and beauty comes to nothing, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.
31:31  Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.