The Sayings of Lemuel
Chapter 31
A Splendid Program for a King
1 These are the words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which were taught to him by his mother:
2 O my son, O son of my womb,
O son of my vows!
3 Do not surrender your vigor to women
or consort with those who cause the ruin of kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
not for kings to drink wine,
not for princes to crave strong liquor,
5 lest in their stupor they forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of those who are in distress.
6 Give strong drink to someone about to die,
wine to someone in anguish.
7 Let him drink and forget his misfortune
and no longer remember his misery.
8 Speak out for those who cannot speak for themselves,
and defend the rights of the destitute.
9 Speak out and pronounce righteous judgments;
defend the rights of the wretched and the poor.
In Praise of the Valiant Woman or the Perfect Homemaker
10 Who can find a worthy wife?
She is far more precious than pearls.
11 Her husband entrusts his heart to her,
for in her he has an unfailing blessing.
12 She works to give him good and not evil
all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax
and works with skillful hands.
14 She is like merchant ships,
accumulating a store of food from far off.
15 She rises while it is still dark
and apportions food for her household
while assigning tasks to her servant girls.
16 She carefully chooses a field to purchase,
and out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself to work
and plies her arms with vigor.
18 She ensures that her dealings are profitable;
her lamp remains undimmed throughout the night.
19 She sets her hands to the distaff,
and her fingers grasp the spindle.
20 She holds out her hands to the poor
and opens her arms to the needy.
21 When snow arrives, she has no fear for her household,
for all of her servants are warmly clothed.
22 She makes her own bed quilts
and wears fine clothes of linen and purple.
23 Her husband is well respected at the city gates
as he takes his seat with the elders of the land.
24 She weaves linen garments and sells them,
and she supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,
and she can afford to laugh at the days to come.
26 When she opens her mouth, wisdom issues forth,
and on her tongue is kindly advice.
27 She keeps close watch on the conduct of her household,
and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed,
and her husband joins them in praising her:
29 “Many are the women who have done admirable things,
but you outdo them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
but the woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her a share in what her hands have accomplished,
and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1
- Proverbs 31:1
- Proverbs 31:3
- Proverbs 31:4
- Proverbs 31:8
- Proverbs 31:10
- Proverbs 31:15
- Proverbs 31:16
- Proverbs 31:18
- Proverbs 31:19
- Proverbs 31:20
- Proverbs 31:22
- Proverbs 31:25
- Proverbs 31:26
- Proverbs 31:28
- Proverbs 31:29
- Proverbs 31:30
- Proverbs 31:31
