31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 31:2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 31:4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 31:5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 31:10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. 31:11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 31:12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 31:13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 31:14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 31:15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 31:16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 31:18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night. 31:19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 31:21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet. 31:22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple. 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 31:24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 31:25 Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. 31:27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 31:28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. 31:29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 31:30 Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.