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31:1  These are the words of King Lemuel. This is the message his mother taught him:
31:2  “My son, I gave birth to you. You are the son I prayed for.
31:3  Don’t waste your strength on women. Don’t waste your time on those who ruin kings.
31:4  “Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel. Rulers should not desire beer.
31:5  If they drink, they might forget the law. They might keep the needy from getting their rights.
31:6  Give beer to people who are dying. And give wine to those who are sad.
31:7  Let them drink and forget their need. Then they won’t remember their misery anymore.
31:8  “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves. Defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
31:9  Speak up and judge fairly. Defend the rights of the poor and needy.”
31:10  It is hard to find an excellent wife. She is worth more than rubies.
31:11  Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs.
31:12  She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.
31:13  She looks for wool and linen. She likes to work with her hands.
31:14  She is like a trader’s ship. She goes far to get food.
31:15  She gets up while it is still dark. She prepares food for her family. She also feeds her servant girls.
31:16  She looks at a field and buys it. With money she has earned, she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She does her work with energy. Her arms are strong.
31:18  She makes sure that what she makes is good. She works by her lamp late into the night.
31:19  She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.
31:20  She welcomes the poor. She helps the needy.
31:21  She does not worry about her family when it snows. They all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
31:22  She makes coverings for her bed. Her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
31:23  Her husband is recognized at the city meetings. He makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.
31:24  She makes linen clothes and sells them. She provides belts to the merchants.
31:25  She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.
31:26  She speaks wise words. And she teaches others to be kind.
31:27  She watches over her family. And she is always busy.
31:28  Her children bless her. Her husband also praises her.
31:29  He says, “There are many excellent wives, but you are better than all of them.”
31:30  Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you. But a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
31:31  Give her the reward she has earned. She should be openly praised for what she has done.