Proverbs 31 · Clearspring

The Sayings for King Lemuel

¹The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.+ ²What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?+ ³Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.+ ⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:+ ⁵Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.+ ⁶Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.+ ⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.+ ⁸Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.+ ⁹Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.+

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

¹⁰Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.+ ¹¹The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.+ ¹²She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.+ ¹³She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.+ ¹⁴She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.+ ¹⁵She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.+ ¹⁶She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.+ ¹⁷She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.+ ¹⁸She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.+ ¹⁹She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.+ ²⁰She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.+ ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.+ ²²She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.+ ²³Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.+ ²⁴She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.+ ²⁵Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.+ ²⁶She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.+ ²⁷She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.+ ²⁸Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.+ ²⁹Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.+ ³⁰Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.+ ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.+

The Sayings for King Lemuel

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

Study Proverbs 31