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31:1  The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
31:2  No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!
31:3  Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who 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  or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
31:6  Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
31:7  let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
31:8  Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
31:9  Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
31:10  A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
31:12  She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
31:13  She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
31:14  She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.
31:15  She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls.
31:16  She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.
31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
31:19  She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
31:20  She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
31:21  She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.
31:22  She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:23  Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes.
31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
31:27  She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28  Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:
31:29  ‘Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.’
31:30  Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31:31  Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.