Proverbs 31:1-20 ▼

1 Words of Lemuel, a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

2 “What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to women, || And your ways to wiping away of kings.

4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, || Not for kings, to drink wine, || And for princes—a desire of strong drink.

5 Lest he drink, and forget the decree, || And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

6 Give strong drink to the perishing, || And wine to the bitter in soul,

7 He drinks, and forgets his poverty, || And he does not remember his misery again.

8 Open your mouth for the mute, || For the right of all sons of change.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, || Both the cause of the poor and needy!”

10 [ALEPH-BET] A woman of worth who finds? Indeed, her price [is] far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband has trusted in her, || And he does not lack spoil.

12 She has done him good, and not evil, || All [the] days of her life.

13 She has sought wool and flax, || And with delight she works [with] her hands.

14 She has been as ships of the merchant, || She brings in her bread from afar.

15 Indeed, she rises while yet night, || And gives food to her household, || And a portion to her girls.

16 She has considered a field, and takes it, || She has planted a vineyard from the fruit of her hands.

17 She has girded her loins with might, || And strengthens her arms.

18 She has perceived when her merchandise [is] good, || Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

19 She has sent forth her hands on a spindle, || And her hands have held a distaff.

20 She has spread forth her hand to the poor, || Indeed, she sent forth her hands to the needy.