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31:1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him: 31:2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows? 31:3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. 31:4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink? 31:5 -- lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. 31:6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul: 31:7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 31:8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. 31:9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy. 31:10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies. 31:11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. 31:12 She doeth 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 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens. 31:16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 31:17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms. 31:18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. 31:19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 31:20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and 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 coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple. 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 31:24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day. 31:26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. 31:27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her: 31:29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. 31:30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.