Chapter 31

  The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.  

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  What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?  

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  Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.  

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  It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?  

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  For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.  

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  Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:  

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  Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.  

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  Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.  

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  Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.  

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  Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.  

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  The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.  

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  She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.  

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  She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.  

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  She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.  

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  She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.  

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  After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.  

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  She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.  

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  She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.  

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  She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.  

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  Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.  

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  She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.  

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  She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.  

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  Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.  

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  She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.  

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  Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.  

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  Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.  

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  She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.  

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  Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,  

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  Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.  

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  Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.  

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  Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.  

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