Mishlei 31

Mishlei (Book of Proverbs), Chapter 31

'"`UNIQ--named-00000000-QINU`"'¹ The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000001-QINU`"'² What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?

'"`UNIQ--named-00000002-QINU`"'³ Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000003-QINU`"'⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: 'Where is strong drink?'

'"`UNIQ--named-00000004-QINU`"'⁵ Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000005-QINU`"'⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;

'"`UNIQ--named-00000006-QINU`"'⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000007-QINU`"'⁸ Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000008-QINU`"'⁹ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000009-QINU`"'¹⁰ A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000A-QINU`"'¹¹ The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000B-QINU`"'¹² She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000C-QINU`"'¹³ She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000D-QINU`"'¹⁴ She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000E-QINU`"'¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000000F-QINU`"'¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000010-QINU`"'¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000011-QINU`"'¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000012-QINU`"'¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000013-QINU`"'²⁰ She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000014-QINU`"'²¹ She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000015-QINU`"'²² She maketh for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000016-QINU`"'²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000017-QINU`"'²⁴ She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000018-QINU`"'²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.

'"`UNIQ--named-00000019-QINU`"'²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001A-QINU`"'²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001B-QINU`"'²⁸ Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001C-QINU`"'²⁹ 'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001D-QINU`"'³⁰ Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth HaShem, she shall be praised.

'"`UNIQ--named-0000001E-QINU`"'³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.