1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2What shall I say,31:2 Or What or What are you doing O my son?
3Do not spend your strength on women
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed,
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing,
7Let him drink and forget his poverty,
8Open your mouth for those with no voice,
9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
10A wife 31:10 Verses 10–31 are an acrostic poem, each verse beginning with the successive letters of the Hebrew alphabet. of noble character, who can find?
11The heart of her husband trusts in her,
12She brings him good and not harm
13She selects wool and flax
14She is like the merchant ships,
15She rises while it is still night
16She appraises a field and buys it;
17She girds herself 31:17 Hebrew She girds her loins with strength
18She sees that her gain is good,
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff
20She opens her arms to the poor
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household,
22She makes coverings for her bed;
23Her husband is known at the city gate,
24She makes linen garments and sells them;
25Strength and honor are her clothing,
26She opens her mouth with wisdom,
27She watches over the affairs of her household
28Her children rise up and call her blessed;
29“Many daughters have done noble things,
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,
31Give her the fruit of her hands,