Proverbs 31 Counsel from King Lemuel’s Mother The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.

ISV⁽ⁱ⁾ ¹ Counsel from King Lemuel’s Mother The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. ² No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! ³ Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. ⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel— Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. ⁵ Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. ⁶ Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. ⁷ Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. ⁸ Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. ⁹ Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
¹⁰ The Honorable WomanWho can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. ¹¹ Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. ¹² She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. ¹³ She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. ¹⁴ She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. ¹⁵ She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. ¹⁶ She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. ¹⁸ She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. ¹⁹ She works with her own hands on her clothes— her hands work the sewing spindle. ²⁰ She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. ²¹ She is unafraid of winter’s effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. ²² She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. ²³ Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. ²⁴ She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. ²⁵ Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. ²⁶ She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. ²⁷ She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. ²⁸ Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: ²⁹ “Many women have done wonderful things,” he says, “but you surpass all of them!” ³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. ³¹ Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise.