31:2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
31:3Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
31:4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
31:5Lest they drink, and forget the law,
And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
31:6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
And wine unto the bitter in soul:
31:7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
31:8Open thy mouth for the dumb,
In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
31:9Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And minister justice to the poor and needy.
31:10A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
31:11The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
31:12She doeth him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
31:13She seeketh wool and flax,
And worketh willingly with her hands.
31:14She is like the merchant-ships;
She bringeth her bread from afar.
31:15She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth food to her household,
And their task to her maidens.
31:16She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
31:17She girdeth her loins with strength,
And maketh strong her arms.
31:18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:
Her lamp goeth not out by night.
31:19She layeth her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle.
31:20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
31:21She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
31:22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
31:23Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
31:24She maketh linen garments and selleth them,
And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
31:25Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
31:26She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
31:27She looketh well to the ways of her household,
And eateth not the bread of idleness.
31:28Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
31:29Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excellest them all.
31:30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31:31Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates.
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