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31:1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother. 31:2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? 31:3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? 31:5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble. 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter: 31:7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. 31:8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death. 31:9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. 31:10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels. 31:11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure. 31:12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. 31:13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands. 31:14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away. 31:15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls. 31:16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work. 31:17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong. 31:18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night. 31:19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. 31:20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. 31:21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red. 31:22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple. 31:23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. 31:24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price. 31:25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile. 31:26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue. 31:27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it. 31:28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying, 31:29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them. 31:30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised. 31:31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.