Proverbs 31

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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