Chapter 31

  The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which 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 that which destroyeth kings.  

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  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?  

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  Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.  

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  Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in 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, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.  

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

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  A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.  

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  The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.  

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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 merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.  

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  She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.  

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  She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With 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 merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.  

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  She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.  

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  She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, 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 for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen 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 linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.  

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  Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.  

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  She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.  

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  She looketh well to 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, [saying]:  

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

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

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  Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.  

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