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31:1  The words of Lemuel, the king—an oracle that his mother taught him:
31:2  What, my son? And what, my son in my womb? And what, son of my vows?
31:3  Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings.
31:4  It is not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine is not for the kings, nor is strong drink for rulers.
31:5  Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
31:6  Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress.
31:7  He will drink and forget his poverty, and his misery he will not remember any more.
31:8  Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all the needy.
31:9  Open your mouth, judge righteousness, and defend the poor and needy.
31:10  A woman of excellence, who will find? For her worth is far more than precious jewels.
31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her, and gain he will not lack.
31:12  She does him good, but not harm all the days of her life.
31:13  She seeks wool and flax, and she works with the diligence of her hands.
31:14  She is like the ships of a merchant; from far off she brings her food;
31:15  And she arises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and tasks to her servant girls.
31:16  She considers a field and buys it, from the fruit of her hand she plants a vineyard.
31:17  She girds her waist in strength, and makes her arms strong.
31:18  She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out in the night.
31:19  Her hands she puts onto the distaff, and her palms hold a spindle.
31:20  Her palm she opens to the poor, and her hand she reaches out to the needy.
31:21  She does not fear for her house when it snows, for her entire household is clothed in crimson.
31:22  She makes for herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:23  Her husband is known at the gates, in his seat among the elders of the land.
31:24  Linen garments she makes and sells, and she supplies sashes for the merchants.
31:25  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the future.
31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and instruction of kindness is upon her tongue.
31:27  She looks after the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat.
31:28  Her children rise and consider her happy, her husband also, and he praises her;
31:29  “Many daughters have done excellence, but you surpass all of them.”
31:30  Charm is deceit and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.
31:31  Give to her from the fruit of her hand, and may they praise her works in the city gates.