Proverbs 31

The Sayings of King Lemuel ¹ These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. These sayings came from God.

² Listen, my son! Listen, my very own son! Listen, you who are the answer to my prayers!

³ Don’t waste your strength on women. Don’t waste it on those who destroy kings.

⁴ Lemuel, it isn’t good for kings to drink wine. It isn’t good for rulers to long for beer.

⁵ If they do, they might drink and forget what has been commanded. They might take away the rights of all those who are treated badly.

⁶ Let beer be for those who are dying. Let wine be for those who are sad and troubled.

⁷ Let them drink and forget how poor they are. Let them forget their suffering.

⁸ Speak up for those who can’t speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.

⁹ Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy.

The Excellent Woman ¹⁰ Who can find an excellent woman? She is worth far more than rubies.

¹¹ Her husband trusts her completely. She gives him all the important things he needs.

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

¹³ She chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.

¹⁴ She is like the ships of traders. She brings her food from far away.

¹⁵ She gets up while it is still night. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.

¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.

¹⁷ She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.

¹⁸ She sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn’t go out at night.

¹⁹ With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.

²⁰ She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.

²¹ When it snows, she’s not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.

²² She makes her own bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.

²³ Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.

²⁵ She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.

²⁶ She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.

²⁷ She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.

²⁸ Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.

²⁹ He says, “Many women do excellent things. But you are better than all the others.”

³⁰ Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for the LORD should be praised. ³¹ Give her honor for all that her hands have done. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.