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 rights.
31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are 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.