| 31:1 | The Words of King Lemuel's MotherThe Words of King Lemuel's Mother The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: |
| 31:2 | What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? |
| 31:3 | Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. |
| 31:4 | It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; |
| 31:5 | Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. |
| 31:6 | Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. |
| 31:7 | Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. |
| 31:8 | Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. |
| 31:9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. The Virtuous Wife |
| 31:10 | Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. |
| 31:11 | The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So 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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. |
| 31:14 | She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. |
| 31:15 | She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. |
| 31:16 | She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. |
| 31:17 | She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. |
| 31:18 | She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. |
| 31:19 | She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. |
| 31:20 | She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. |
| 31:21 | She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. |
| 31:22 | She makes tapestry 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 sashes for the merchants. |
| 31:25 | Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. |
| 31:26 | She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. |
| 31:27 | She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 31:28 | Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 31:29 | Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all. |
| 31:30 | Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. |
| 31:31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. |