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Proverbs 31
VII. NUMERICAL PROVERBS
VIII. THE SAYINGS OF LEMUEL
1 The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa,[*a] taught him by his mother:
2 What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows!
3 Do not spend all your energy on women, nor your loins on these destroyers of kings.
4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes to love strong drink,
5 for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and override the rights of all in distress.
6 Procure strong drink for a man about to perish, wine for the heart that is full of bitterness:
7 let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more.
8 Speak, yourself, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted;
9 speak, yourself, pronounce a just verdict, uphold the rights of the poor, of the needy.
Aleph
10 A perfect wife-who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls.
Beth
11 Her husband’s heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit.
Ghimel
12 Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life.
Daleth
13 She is always busy with wool and with flax, she does her work with eager hands.
He
14 She is like a merchant vessel bringing her food from far away.
Waw
15 She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls.
Zain
16 She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
Heth
17 She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be.
Teth
18 She finds her labour well worth while; her lamp does not go out at night.
Yod
19 She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle.
Kaph
20 She holds out her hand to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy.
Lamed
21 Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed
Mem
22 She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple
Nun
23 Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
Samek
24 She weaves linen sheets and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes
Ain
25 She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
Pe
26 When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction.
Sade
27 She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her
Qoph
28 Her sons stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband too, sings her praises:
Resh
29 ‘Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!’
Shin
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who is wise is the one to praise
Tau
31 Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates.