Proverbs 31:1-12 ▼

1 The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.

2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: Nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'

5 Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul;

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 A woman of valour who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, And he hath no lack of gain.

12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.