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31:1  These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. These sayings came from God.
31:2  Listen, my son! Listen, my very own son! Listen, you who are the answer to my prayers!
31:3  Don’t waste your strength on women. Don’t waste it on those who destroy kings.
31:4  Lemuel, it isn’t good for kings to drink wine. It isn’t good for rulers to long for beer.
31:5  If they do, they might drink and forget what has been commanded. They might take away the rights of all those who are treated badly.
31:6  Let beer be for those who are dying. Let wine be for those who are sad and troubled.
31:7  Let them drink and forget how poor they are. Let them forget their suffering.
31:8  Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
31:9  Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.
31:10  Who can find an excellent woman? She is worth far more than rubies.
31:11  Her husband trusts her completely. She gives him all the important things he needs.
31:12  She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
31:13  She chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.
31:14  She is like the ships of traders. She brings her food from far away.
31:15  She gets up while it is still night. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.
31:16  She considers a field and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
31:17  She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.
31:18  She sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn’t go out at night.
31:19  With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.
31:20  She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
31:21  When it snows, she’s not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
31:22  She makes her own bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
31:23  Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.
31:25  She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.
31:26  She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.
31:27  She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.
31:28  Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
31:29  He says, “Many women do excellent things. But you are better than all the others.”
31:30  Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for the Lord should be praised.
31:31  Give her honor for all that her hands have done. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.