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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 of my womb? What [shall I advise you], son of my vows and dedication to God?
31:3  Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy 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 they drink and forget the law and what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted.
31:6  Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.
31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want and misery no more.
31:8  Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless;
31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.
31:10  A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.
31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.
31:12  She comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.
31:13  She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].
31:14  She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far [country].
31:15  She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.
31:16  She considers a [new] field before she buys or accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.
31:17  She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong and firm.
31:18  She tastes and sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].
31:19  She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
31:20  She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].
31:21  She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.
31:22  She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].
31:23  Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
31:24  She makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].
31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!
31:26  She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].
31:27  She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.
31:28  Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her, [saying],
31:29  Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.
31:30  Charm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears 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 [of the city]!