Proverbs 31

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.● 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?● 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.● 4{It is} not for kings, O Lemuel, {it is} not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:● 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. {prevert: Heb. alter} {of any...: Heb. of all the sons of affliction}● 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. {of...: Heb. bitter of soul}● 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.● 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. {such...: Heb. the sons of destruction}● 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.● 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price {is} far above rubies.● 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.● 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.● 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.● 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.● 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.● 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. {buyeth: Heb. taketh}● 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.● 18She perceiveth that her merchandise {is} good: her candle goeth not out by night. {She...: Heb. She tasteth}● 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.● 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. {She...: Heb. She spreadeth}● 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household {are} clothed with scarlet. {scarlet: or, double garments}● 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing {is} silk and purple.● 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.● 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth {it}; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.● 25Strength and honour {are} her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.● 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue {is} the law of kindness.● 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.● 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband {also}, and he praiseth her.● 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. {have...: or, have gotten riches}● 30Favour {is} deceitful, and beauty {is} vain: {but} a woman {that} feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.● 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.●