Proverbs 31

¹ The words of King Lemuel — the revelation which his mother taught him:

² “Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

³ Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink? ’

⁵ lest they drink, and forget the law,

⁶ Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish,

⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

⁸ Open your mouth for the mute,

⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously,

¹⁰ Who can find a worthy woman?

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her.

¹² She does him good, and not harm,

¹³ She seeks wool and flax,

¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

¹⁵ She rises also while it is yet night,

¹⁶ She considers a field, and buys it.

¹⁷ She arms her waist with strength,

¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

¹⁹ She lays her hands to the distaff,

²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

²² She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.

²³ Her husband is respected in the gates,

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them,

²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.

²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household,

²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed.

²⁹ “ Many women do noble things,

³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands!