Proverbs 31 — ASVBT

31Verse 1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.^{Verse 2}What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
^{Verse 3}Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
^{Verse 4}It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
^{Verse 5}Lest they drink, and forget the law,
And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
^{Verse 6}Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
And wine unto the bitter in soul:
^{Verse 7}Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
^{Verse 8}Open thy mouth for the dumb,
In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
^{Verse 9}Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And minister justice to the poor and needy.^{Verse 10}A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
^{Verse 11}The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
^{Verse 12}She doeth him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
^{Verse 13}She seeketh wool and flax,
And worketh willingly with her hands.
^{Verse 14}She is like the merchant ships;
She bringeth her bread from afar.
^{Verse 15}She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth food to her household,
And their task to her maidens.
^{Verse 16}She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
^{Verse 17}She girdeth her loins with strength,
And maketh strong her arms.
^{Verse 18}She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable;
Her lamp goeth not out by night.
^{Verse 19}She layeth her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle.
^{Verse 20}She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
^{Verse 21}She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
^{Verse 22}She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
^{Verse 23}Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
^{Verse 24}She maketh linen garments and selleth them,
And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
^{Verse 25}Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
^{Verse 26}She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
^{Verse 27}She looketh well to the ways of her household,
And eateth not the bread of idleness.
^{Verse 28}Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
^{Verse 29}Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excellest them all.
^{Verse 30}Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
^{Verse 31}Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates.