Proverbs 31:3-26

³Don't waste your strength sleeping with women, those that bring down kings.

⁴Lemuel, kings shouldn't be drinking wine, rulers shouldn't be drinking alcohol.

⁵For if they drink, they'll forget what the law says, and pervert the rights of those who are suffering.

⁶Give alcohol to those who are dying, and wine to those who are in terrible distress.

⁷Let them drink so they can forget their poverty, and not remember their troubles any longer.

⁸Speak up for those who have no voice, for the rights of those marginalized by society.

⁹Speak up and judge fairly; defend the poor and destitute.

¹⁰Who can find a strong, capable wife? She's worth more than jewels!

¹¹Her husband has complete confidence in her, and with her he'll never be poor.

¹²She brings him good, not evil, all her life.

¹³She gets wool and flax, and with her eager hands turns them into clothes.

¹⁴Like a merchant's ship, she brings food from far away.

¹⁵She gets up while it's still dark to make breakfast for her family, and to plan what her servant girls need to do.

¹⁶She looks at a field, and decides to buy it; from the money she's earned she buys a vineyard.

¹⁷She's keen to get ready, and works hard with her strong arms.

¹⁸She knows that the things she makes are valuable. She keeps busy—her lamp burns late into the night.

¹⁹She spins the thread and weaves the cloth.

²⁰She's generous to the poor, and gives help to the needy.

²¹She doesn't worry if it snows, because her whole family has warm clothing.

²²She makes herself bedspreads; she dresses in fine linen and purple clothes.

²³Her husband is well-respected in the council at the town gates, where he sits with the town elders.

²⁴She makes linen clothes for sale, and supplies merchants with belts.

²⁵She's clothed with strength and dignity, and she is happy about the future.

²⁶She speaks wise words, and she's kind when she gives instructions.