Proverbs 31:1-20

¹The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

²What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

³Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

⁵Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

⁶Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

⁸Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

⁹Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

¹⁰A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

¹²She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

¹³She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.

¹⁹She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.