| 31:1 | The words of King Lemuel,* an oracle* that his mother taught him: |
| 31:2 | O* my son, O son of my womb, O son* of my vows, |
| 31:3 | Do not give your strength* to women, nor your ways* to that which ruins* kings. |
| 31:4 | It is not for kings,* O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine,* or for rulers to crave strong drink,* |
| 31:5 | lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove* from all the poor* their legal rights.* |
| 31:6 | Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,* and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;* |
| 31:7 | let them* drink and forget* their poverty, and remember their misery no more. |
| 31:8 | Open your mouth* on behalf of those unable to speak,* for the legal rights of all the dying.* |
| 31:9 | Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,* and plead the cause* of the poor and needy. |
| 31:10 | Who can find* a wife* of noble character?* For her value* is far more than rubies. |
| 31:11 | The heart of her husband has confidence* in her, and he has no lack of gain.* |
| 31:12 | She brings him* good and not evil* all the days of her life. |
| 31:13 | She obtains* wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.* |
| 31:14 | She is like* the merchant ships;* she brings her food from afar. |
| 31:15 | She also gets up* while it is still night, and provides food* for her household and a portion* to her female servants. |
| 31:16 | She considers* a field and buys it; from her own income* she plants a vineyard. |
| 31:17 | She begins* her work vigorously, and she strengthens* her arms. |
| 31:18 | She knows* that her merchandise is good, and her lamp* does not go out in the night. |
| 31:19 | Her hands* take hold* of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. |
| 31:20 | She extends* her hand* to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. |
| 31:21 | She is not* afraid of the snow* for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet.* |
| 31:22 | She makes for herself coverlets;* her clothing is fine linen and purple.* |
| 31:23 | Her husband is well-known* in the city gate* when he sits with 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 honor,* and she can laugh* at the time* to come. |
| 31:26 | She opens her mouth* with wisdom, and loving instruction* is on her tongue. |
| 31:27 | She watches over* the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.* |
| 31:28 | Her children rise up* and call her blessed, her husband* also praises her: |
| 31:29 | “Many* daughters* have done valiantly,* but you surpass them all!” |
| 31:30 | Charm is deceitful* and beauty is fleeting,* but a woman who fears the Lord* will be praised. |
| 31:31 | Give* her credit for what she has accomplished,* and let her works praise her* in the city gates.* |
Proverbs 31 - NET Bible [draft]
