Proverbs 31 — BBE

31Verse 1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.^{Verse 2}What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?^{Verse 3}Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.^{Verse 4}It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?^{Verse 5}For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.^{Verse 6}Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:^{Verse 7}Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.^{Verse 8}Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.^{Verse 9}Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.^{Verse 10}Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.^{Verse 11}The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.^{Verse 12}She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.^{Verse 13}She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.^{Verse 14}She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.^{Verse 15}She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.^{Verse 16}After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.^{Verse 17}She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.^{Verse 18}She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.^{Verse 19}She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.^{Verse 20}Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.^{Verse 21}She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.^{Verse 22}She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.^{Verse 23}Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.^{Verse 24}She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.^{Verse 25}Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.^{Verse 26}Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.^{Verse 27}She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.^{Verse 28}Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,^{Verse 29}Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.^{Verse 30}Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.^{Verse 31}Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.