Lemuel's lesson of chastity and temperance.

31:1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

31:2 “Oh, my son!
Oh, son of my womb!
Oh, son of my vows!

31:3 Don’t give your strength to women,
nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel;
it is not for kings to drink wine;
nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

31:5 lest they drink, and forget the law,
and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

The afflicted are to be comforted and defended.

31:6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish;
and wine to the bitter in soul:

31:7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth for the mute,
in the cause of all who are left desolate.

31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

The praise and properties of a good wife.

31:10 *Who can find a worthy woman?
For her price is far above rubies.

31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.

31:12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.

31:13 She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.

31:14 She is like the merchant ships.
She brings her bread from afar.

31:15 She rises also while it is yet night,
gives food to her household,
and portions for her servant girls.

31:16 She considers a field, and buys it.
With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She girds her waist with strength,
and makes her arms strong.

31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

31:19 She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.

31:20 She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Tapestry, or linen.

31:23 Her husband is respected in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.

31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing.
She laughs at the time to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:

31:29 “Many women do noble things,
but you excel them all.”

31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!