Page 31 of  31

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him (31:1)

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? (31:2)

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings (31:3)

[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: (31:4)

Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted (31:5)

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts (31:6)

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more (31:7)

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction (31:8)

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy (31:9)

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies (31:10)

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil (31:11)

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life (31:12)

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands (31:13)

She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar (31:14)

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens (31:15)

She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard (31:16)

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms (31:17)

She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night (31:18)

She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff (31:19)

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy (31:20)

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet (31:21)

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple (31:22)

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land (31:23)

She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant (31:24)

Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come (31:25)

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness (31:26)

She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness (31:27)

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her (31:28)

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all (31:29)

Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the Lord, she shall be praised (31:30)

Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates (31:31)

End of Book