Proverbs - Chapter 31 | English Standard Version

  • 1. The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
  • 2. What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
  • 3. Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
  • 4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
  • 5. lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
  • 6. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
  • 7. let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
  • 8. Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
  • 9. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
  • 10. An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
  • 11. The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
  • 12. She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
  • 13. She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
  • 14. She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
  • 15. She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
  • 16. She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
  • 17. She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
  • 18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
  • 19. She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
  • 20. She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
  • 21. She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
  • 22. She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  • 23. Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
  • 24. She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
  • 25. Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
  • 26. She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
  • 27. She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
  • 28. Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
  • 29. "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
  • 30. Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
  • 31. Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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