AB - Proverbs - 31

31:1  My words have been spoken by God-the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.

31:2  What will you keep, my son, what? The words of God? My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? Son of my womb? What? Son of my vows?

31:3  Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.

31:4  Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:

31:5  lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and not be able to judge the poor rightly.

31:6  Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain,

31:7  that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles anymore.

31:8  Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.

31:9  Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.

31:10  Who shall find a virtuous woman? For such a one is more valuable than precious stones.

31:11  The heart of her husband trusts in her; such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.

31:12  For she employs all her living for her husband's good.

31:13  Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.

31:14  She is like a ship trading from a distance-so she procures her livelihood.

31:15  And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.

31:16  She views a farm, and buys it; and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.

31:17  She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.

31:18  And she finds by experience that working is good, and her lamp does not go out all night.

31:19  She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.

31:20  And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.

31:21  Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.

31:22  She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.

31:23  And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.

31:24  She makes fine linens, and sells sashes to the Canaanites; she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.

31:25  She puts on strength and honor, and rejoices in the last days.

31:26  But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.

31:27  The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.

31:28  And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.

31:29  Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly, but you have exceeded, you have surpassed all.

31:30  Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.

31:31  Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.