# Proverbs 31 [[Proverbs 30|←]] • [[Ecclesiastes 1|→]] --- ### 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. ### 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? ### 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. ### 4 not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: ### 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. ### 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. ### 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 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price far above rubies. ### 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ### 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. ### 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. ### 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. ### 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. ### 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. ### 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. ### 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise good: her candle goeth not out by night. ### 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ### 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. ### 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household clothed with scarlet. ### 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing silk and purple. ### 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. ### 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ### 25 Strength and honour her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ### 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue the law of kindness. ### 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ### 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband and he praiseth her. ### 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. ### 30 Favour deceitful, and beauty vain: a woman feareth the Lord, she shall be praised. ### 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.