NETtext - Proverbs - 31

31:1  The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

31:2  O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

31:3  Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

31:5  lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

31:6  Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

31:7  let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.

31:8  Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.

31:9  Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

31:10  Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

31:11  The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain.

31:12  She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.

31:13  She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.

31:14  She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

31:15  She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

31:16  She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.

31:17  She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.

31:18  She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.

31:19  Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.

31:20  She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.

31:21  She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.

31:22  She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23  Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

31:24  She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

31:25  She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.

31:26  She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.

31:27  She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28  Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her:

31:29  "Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!"

31:30  Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

31:31  Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.