Proverbs 31

Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

“What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

Do not give your strength to women, || And your ways to wiping away of kings.

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, || Not for kings, to drink wine, || And for princes—a desire of strong drink.

Lest he drink, and forget the decree, || And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

Give strong drink to the perishing, || And wine to the bitter in soul,

He drinks, and forgets his poverty, || And he does not remember his misery again.

Open your mouth for the mute, || For the right of all sons of change.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, || Both the cause of the poor and needy!”

[ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.

The heart of her husband has trusted in her, || And he does not lack spoil.

She has done him good, and not evil, || All [the] days of her life.

She has sought wool and flax, || And with delight she works [with] her hands.

She has been as ships of the merchant, || She brings in her bread from afar.

Indeed, she rises while yet night, || And gives food to her household, || And a portion to her girls.

She has considered a field, and takes it, || She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.

She has girded her loins with might, || And strengthens her arms.

She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, || Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, || And her hands have held a distaff.

She has spread forth her hand to the poor, || Indeed, she sent forth her hands to the needy.

She is not afraid of her household from snow, || For all her household are clothed [with] scarlet.

She has made ornamental coverings for herself, || Silk and purple [are] her clothing.

Her husband is known in the gates, || In his sitting with [the] elderly of [the] land.

She has made linen garments, and sells, || And she has given a girdle to the merchant.

Strength and honor [are] her clothing, || And she rejoices at a latter day.

She has opened her mouth in wisdom, || And the law of kindness [is] on her tongue.

She [is] watching the ways of her household, || And she does not eat bread of sloth.

Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her blessed, || Her husband, and he praises her,

“The daughters who have done worthily [are] many, || You have gone up above them all.”

Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, || A woman fearing YHWH, she may boast herself.

Give to her of the fruit of her hands, || And her works praise her in the gates!