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31:1  These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
31:2  “You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
31:3  Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings.
31:4  Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
31:5  When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
31:6  Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
31:7  Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
31:8  “Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
31:9  Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy.”
31:10  How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
31:11  Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
31:12  As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
31:13  She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
31:14  She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
31:15  She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
31:16  She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
31:18  She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
31:19  She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
31:20  She is generous to the poor and needy.
31:21  She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
31:22  She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
31:23  Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
31:24  She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
31:25  She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
31:26  She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
31:27  She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
31:28  Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
31:29  He says, “Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all.”
31:30  Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31:31  Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.