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Proverbs 31, RSV

31:1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

31:2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

31:3 Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

31:4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;

31:5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

31:6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

31:7 let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.

31:9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.

31:10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

31:11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

31:12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

31:13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

31:14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.

31:15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.

31:16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

31:17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.

31:18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

31:19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

31:20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.

31:21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

31:22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

31:23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

31:24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.

31:25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

31:26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

31:27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

31:28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

31:29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

31:30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31:31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

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