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31:1  The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
31:2  What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
31:3  Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
31:5  Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
31:6  Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
31:8  Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
31:10  Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
31:11  The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
31:12  She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
31:13  She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
31:14  She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
31:15  She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
31:16  She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
31:19  She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
31:20  She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
31:21  She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
31:22  She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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 call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
31:29  “Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”
31:30  Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who 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.