Chapter 31

  The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:  

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  What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?  

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  Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.  

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  It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?  

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  -- lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.  

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  Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:  

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  let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.  

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  Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.  

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  Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.  

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  Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.  

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  The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.  

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  She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.  

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  She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.  

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  She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;  

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  And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.  

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  She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.  

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  She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.  

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  She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.  

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  She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.  

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  She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.  

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  She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.  

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  She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.  

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  Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.  

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  She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  

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  Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.  

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  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.  

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  She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.  

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  Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:  

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  Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.  

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  Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.  

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  Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.  

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