Proverbs, starting at chapter 31
{31:1} The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught
him.
{31:2} "Oh, my son!
Oh, son of my womb!
Oh, son of my vows!
{31:3} Don't give your strength to women,
nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
{31:4} It is not for kings, Lemuel;
it is not for kings to drink wine;
nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
{31:5} lest they drink, and forget the decree,
and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
{31:6} Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish;
and wine to the bitter in soul:
{31:7} Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
{31:8} Open your mouth for the mute,
in the cause of all who are left desolate.
{31:9} Open your mouth, judge righteously,
and serve justice to the poor and needy."
{31:10} [1]Who can find a worthy woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
{31:11} The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall have no lack of gain.
{31:12} She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
{31:13} She seeks wool and flax,
and works eagerly with her hands.
{31:14} She is like the merchant ships.
She brings her bread from afar.
{31:15} She rises also while it is yet night,
gives food to her household,
and portions for her servant girls.
{31:16} She considers a field, and buys it.
With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
{31:17} She girds her waist with strength,
and makes her arms strong.
{31:18} She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
{31:19} She lays her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
{31:20} She opens her arms to the poor;
yes, she extends 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 for herself carpets of tapestry.
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
{31:23} Her husband is respected in the gates,
when he sits among the elders of the land.
{31:24} She makes linen garments and sells them,
and delivers sashes to the merchant.
{31:25} Strength and dignity are her clothing.
She laughs at the time to come.
{31:26} She opens her mouth with wisdom.
Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
{31:27} She looks well to the ways of her household,
and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
{31:28} Her children rise up and call her blessed.
Her husband also praises her:
{31:29} "Many women do noble things,
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 of the fruit of her hands!
Let her works praise her in the gates!
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Footnotes:
[1] {31:10} Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse
starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.
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