Proverbs 31

¹The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:

²“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

³Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

⁵lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

⁶Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.

⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

⁸Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

⁹Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

¹⁰Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.

¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

¹²She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

¹³She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

¹⁴She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

¹⁵She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.