Proverbs 31 : 1 (NCV)
These are the words of King Lemuel, the mes- sage his mother taught him:
Proverbs 31 : 2 (NCV)
"My son, I gave birth to you. You are the son I prayed for.
Proverbs 31 : 3 (NCV)
Don't waste your strength on women or your time on those who ruin kings.
Proverbs 31 : 4 (NCV)
"Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel, and rulers should not desire beer.
Proverbs 31 : 5 (NCV)
If they drink, they might forget the law and keep the needy from getting their rights.
Proverbs 31 : 6 (NCV)
Give beer to people who are dying and wine to those who are sad.
Proverbs 31 : 7 (NCV)
Let them drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more.
Proverbs 31 : 8 (NCV)
"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
Proverbs 31 : 9 (NCV)
Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy."
Proverbs 31 : 10 (NCV)
It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies.
Proverbs 31 : 11 (NCV)
Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs.
Proverbs 31 : 12 (NCV)
She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.
Proverbs 31 : 13 (NCV)
She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands.
Proverbs 31 : 14 (NCV)
She is like a trader's ship, bringing food from far away.
Proverbs 31 : 15 (NCV)
She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls.
Proverbs 31 : 16 (NCV)
She inspects a field and buys it. With money she earned, she plants a vineyard.
Proverbs 31 : 17 (NCV)
She does her work with energy, and her arms are strong.
Proverbs 31 : 18 (NCV)
She knows that what she makes is good. Her lamp burns late into the night.
Proverbs 31 : 19 (NCV)
She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.
Proverbs 31 : 20 (NCV)
She welcomes the poor and helps the needy.
Proverbs 31 : 21 (NCV)
She does not worry about her family when it snows, because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
Proverbs 31 : 22 (NCV)
She makes coverings for herself; her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
Proverbs 31 : 23 (NCV)
Her husband is known at the city meetings, where he makes decisions as one of the leaders of the land.
Proverbs 31 : 24 (NCV)
She makes linen clothes and sells them and provides belts to the merchants.
Proverbs 31 : 25 (NCV)
She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.
Proverbs 31 : 26 (NCV)
She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.
Proverbs 31 : 27 (NCV)
She watches over her family and never wastes her time.
Proverbs 31 : 28 (NCV)
Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her,
Proverbs 31 : 29 (NCV)
saying, "There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them."
Proverbs 31 : 30 (NCV)
Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should be praised.
Proverbs 31 : 31 (NCV)
Give her the reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done.
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