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31:1  The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
31:2  “What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?
31:3  Don’t give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.
31:4  “It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
31:5  Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
31:6  Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.
31:7  Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore.
31:8  “Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
31:9  Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”
31:10  “Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.
31:11  Her husband trusts her with all his heart, and he does not lack anything good.
31:12  She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
31:13  “She seeks out wool and linen with care and works with willing hands.
31:14  She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.
31:15  She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves.
31:16  “She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
31:17  She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.
31:18  She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night.
31:19  “She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle.
31:20  She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.
31:21  She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing.
31:22  She makes quilts for herself. Her clothes are made of linen and purple cloth.
31:23  “Her husband is known at the city gates when he sits with the leaders of the land.
31:24  “She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchants.
31:25  She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future.
31:26  “She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
31:27  She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
31:28  Her children and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
31:29  ‘Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!’
31:30  “Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, but a woman who has the fear of Yahweh should be praised.
31:31  Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”