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31:1  The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
31:2  What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
31:3  Do not give your excellence to women, Or your ways to that which blots out 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  Lest he drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
31:6  Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those whose soul is bitter.
31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty And he will not remember his trouble any longer.
31:8  Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away.
31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy.
31:10  An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.
31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
31:12  She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.
31:13  She searches for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
31:14  She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
31:15  And she rises while it is still night, And gives food to her household And a portion to her young women.
31:16  She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
31:18  She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
31:19  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold fast the spindle.
31:20  She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits with the elders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them, And gives belts to the tradesmen.
31:25  Strength and majesty are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
31:26  She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.
31:27  She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28  Her children rise up and bless her; As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:
31:29  “Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all.”
31:30  Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31:31  Give to her from the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.