31:1 The sayings of King Lemuel an oracle [Or of Lemuel king of Massa, which] his mother taught him:
31:2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, [Or the answer to my prayers]
31:3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigour on those who ruin kings.
31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
31:5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
31:6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish
31:7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
31:8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
31:9 Speak up and judge fairly defend the rights of the poor and needy.
31:10 [Verses 10-31 are an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
31:11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
31:12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
31:13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
31:14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
31:15 She gets up while it is still dark she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
31:16 She considers a field and buys it out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
31:17 She sets about her work vigorously her arms are strong for her tasks.
31:18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
31:19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
31:20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
31:21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
31:22 She makes coverings for her bed she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
31:23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
31:25 She is clothed with strength and dignity she can laugh at the days to come.
31:26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
31:27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28 Her children arise and call her blessed her husband also, and he praises her:
31:29 Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
31:30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31:31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. 1496 ECCLESIASTES