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31:1  These are the words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which were taught to him by his mother:
31:2  O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows!
31:3  Do not surrender your vigor to women or consort with those who cause the ruin of kings.
31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine, not for princes to crave strong liquor,
31:5  lest in their stupor they forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of those who are in distress.
31:6  Give strong drink to someone about to die, wine to someone in anguish.
31:7  Let him drink and forget his misfortune and no longer remember his misery.
31:8  Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves, and defend the rights of the destitute.
31:9  Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments; defend the rights of the wretched and the poor.
31:10  Who can find a worthy wife? She is far more precious than pearls.
31:11  Her husband entrusts his heart to her, for in her he has an unfailing blessing.
31:12  She works to give him good and not evil all the days of her life.
31:13  She selects wool and flax and works with skillful hands.
31:14  She is like merchant ships, accumulating a store of food from far off.
31:15  She rises while it is still dark and apportions food for her household while assigning tasks to her servant girls.
31:16  She carefully chooses a field to purchase, and out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She girds herself to work and plies her arms with vigor.
31:18  She ensures that her dealings are profitable; her lamp remains undimmed throughout the night.
31:19  She sets her hands to the distaff, and her fingers grasp the spindle.
31:20  She holds out her hands to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
31:21  When snow arrives, she has no fear for her household, for all of her servants are warmly clothed.
31:22  She makes her own bed quilts and wears fine clothes of linen and purple.
31:23  Her husband is well respected at the city gates as he takes his seat with the elders of the land.
31:24  She weaves linen garments and sells them, and she supplies the merchants with sashes.
31:25  She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she can afford to laugh at the days to come.
31:26  When she opens her mouth, wisdom issues forth, and on her tongue is kindly advice.
31:27  She keeps close watch on the conduct of her household, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28  Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, and her husband joins them in praising her:
31:29  “Many are the women who have done admirable things, but you outdo them all.”
31:30  Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31:31  Give her a share in what her hands have accomplished, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.