Noyes - Proverbs - 31

31:1  The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.

31:2  What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! [shall I say to thee?]

31:3  Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings!

31:4  It is not for kings, O Lemuel! It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes to desire strong drink;

31:5  Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.

31:6  Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;

31:7  Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more!

31:8  Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!

31:9  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And maintain the cause of the poor and needy!

31:10  Who can find a capable woman? Her worth is far above pearls.

31:11  The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of gain.

31:12  She doeth him good, and not evil, All the days of her life.

31:13  She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

31:14  She is like the merchants’ ships; She bringeth her food from afar.

31:15  She riseth while it is yet night, And giveth food to her family, And a task to her maidens.

31:16  She layeth a plan for a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

31:17  She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

31:18  She perceiveth how pleasant is her gain, And her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

31:19  She putteth forth her hands to the distaff, And her hands take hold of the spindle.

31:20  She spreadeth out her hand to the poor, Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

31:21  She hath no fear for her household on account of the snow, For all her household are clothed with crimson.

31:22  She maketh for herself coverlets; Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.

31:23  Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth with the elders of the land.

31:24  She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles to the merchant.

31:25  Strength and honor are her clothing; And she laugheth at the days to come.

31:26  She openeth her mouth with wisdom, And kind instruction is upon her tongue.

31:27  She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

31:28  Her children rise up, and extol her; Her husband, and praiseth her, [saving,]

31:29  "Many daughters have done, virtuously, But thou excellest them all."

31:30  Grace is deceitful, and beauty vain; But the woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31:31  Give ye her of the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.