31:1 The sayings of King Lemuel - an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
31:2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
31:3 Do not spend your strength* on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. / *Or wealth
31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel - it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
31:5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
31:6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
31:7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
31:9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
31:10 *A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. / *Verses 10-31 are an acrostic poem, the verses of which begin with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet.
31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
31:12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
31:14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
31:15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
31:16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
31:17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
31:19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
31:21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
31:22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
31:23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
31:26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
31:29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31:31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.