Proverbios 31

¹ The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. ² "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! ³ Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. ⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' ⁵ lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. ⁶ Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: ⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. ⁸ Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. ⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." ¹⁰ {Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.}Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. ¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. ¹² She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. ¹³ She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. ¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. ¹⁵ She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. ¹⁶ She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷ She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. ¹⁸ She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. ¹⁹ She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. ²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. ²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²² She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. ²³ Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. ²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. ²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷ She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: ²⁹ "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all." ³⁰ Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. ³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!