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31:1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: 31:2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 31:3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, 31:5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. 31:7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. 31:8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. 31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. 31:10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. 31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 31:12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. 31:13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. 31:14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. 31:15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. 31:16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. 31:17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. 31:18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. 31:19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. 31:20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. 31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. 31:26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. 31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. 31:28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 31:29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." 31:30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised. 31:31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.