"1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my
vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which
destroyeth kings. 4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for
kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink,
and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those
that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and
remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause
of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge
righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
“10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above
rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he
shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all
the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh
willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she
bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She
considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she
planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and
strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is]
good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the
spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand
to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her
clothing [is] silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates,
when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen,
and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength
and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of
kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth
not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her
blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have
done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour [is] deceitful,
and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall
be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works
praise her in the gates.” (Proverbs 31:1-31 AV)
© 2011-2018 Kathy L. McFarland. All Rights Reserved Privacy Policy