Proverbs 31

1The words of Lemuel, a king, the oracle that his mother taught him:

2What should I tell you, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

3Do not spend your strength on women or your ways on those who ruin kings.

4It is not fitting for kings, Lemuel, not fitting for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to ask, “Where is the beer?”

5otherwise he will drink and forget what is decreed and twist the cause of all the afflicted.

6Give beer to someone who is about to perish, and wine to those bitter in soul;

7let him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no longer.

8Open your mouth for the voiceless, for the cause of all who are vulnerable.

9Open your mouth, give righteous judgment, and uphold the cause of the poor and the needy.

10A capable wife—who can find her? Her price is far beyond pearls.

11Her husband’s heart relies on her, and he will never be without gain.

12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

13She seeks out wool and flax and works them with eager hands.

14She is like a merchant’s ships; from far off she brings her food.

15She rises while it is still night; she gives food to her household and a portion to her young women.

16She has a field in view and acquires it; she plants a vineyard with what her hands have produced.

17She belts strength around her waist and makes her arms firm.

18She senses that her business is good; her lamp stays lit through the night.

19She sets her hands to the distaff, and her palms hold the spindle.

20She spreads open her palm to the poor and stretches out her hands to the needy.

21She has no fear of snow for her household, because everyone in her household is dressed in scarlet.

22She makes bedcovers for herself; she is dressed in fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is well known at the gates, where he sits with the elders of the land.

24She makes linen clothing and sells it, and she provides belts to the traders.

25Strength and splendor are her garments, and she laughs at the days ahead.

26Her mouth opens with wisdom, and kind instruction is on her tongue.

27She keeps an eye on the ways of her household and never eats the bread of laziness.

28Her children rise and speak of her as blessed; her husband does too, and he praises her:

29“Many women have acted capably, but you have risen above them all.”

30Charm is false and beauty is a passing breath, but a woman who fears Yahweh is the one who will be praised.

31Give her a share of what her hands have produced, and let her own deeds praise her at the gates.