Proverbs 31
- 1
These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: Begin Abide·
- 2
What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? Begin Abide·
- 3
Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. Begin Abide·
- 4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, Begin Abide·
- 5
lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. Begin Abide·
- 6
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. Begin Abide·
- 7
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. Begin Abide·
- 8
Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. Begin Abide·
- 9
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. Begin Abide·
- 10
A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. Begin Abide·
- 11
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. Begin Abide·
- 12
She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. Begin Abide·
- 13
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. Begin Abide·
- 14
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. Begin Abide·
- 15
She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. Begin Abide·
- 16
She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. Begin Abide·
- 17
She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. Begin Abide·
- 18
She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. Begin Abide·
- 19
She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. Begin Abide·
- 20
She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. Begin Abide·
- 21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. Begin Abide·
- 22
She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. Begin Abide·
- 23
Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. Begin Abide·
- 24
She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. Begin Abide·
- 25
Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. Begin Abide·
- 26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. Begin Abide·
- 27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. Begin Abide·
- 28
Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: Begin Abide·
- 29
“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” Begin Abide·
- 30
Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. Begin Abide·
- 31
Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. Begin Abide·