1 A Mother’s Oracle The words of King Lemuel, the 31:1Or burden oracleuntowhich his mother disciplined him:2 ¶What, O my son?And what, O son of my womb?And what, O son of my vows?3 Do not give your excellence to women,Or your ways to that which blots out kings.4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to drink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink,5 Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,And pervert the justice of all the 31:5Lit sons of affliction afflicted.6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,And wine to those whose soul is bitter.7 Let him drink and forget his povertyAnd he will not remember his trouble any longer.8 Open your mouth for the mute,For the justice of all those 31:8Lit sons of passing away passing away.9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,And render justice to the afflicted and needy.A Woman Who Fears Yahweh Aleph 10 ¶ 31:10Lit a woman of excellence, a woman of strength An excellent wife, who can find?For her worth is far above pearls.Beth 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,And he will have no lack of gain.Gimel 12 She deals bountifully with him for good and not evilAll the days of her life.Daleth 13 She searches for wool and flaxAnd works with her 31:13Lit palms hands 31:13Or willingly in delight.He 14 She is like merchant ships;She brings her food from afar.Vav 15 And she rises while it is still night,And gives 31:15Lit prey food to her householdAnd a 31:15Or prescribed task portion to her young women.Zayin 16 She makes plans for a field and buys it;From the fruit of her 31:16Lit palms hands she plants a vineyard.Heth 17 She girds 31:17Lit her loins herself with strengthAnd makes her arms strong.Teth 18 She senses that her gain is good;Her lamp does not go out at night.Yodh 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,And her 31:19Lit palms hands hold fast the spindle.Kaph 20 She 31:20Lit spreads out her palm extends her hand to the poor,And she stretches out her hands to the needy.Lamedh 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,For all her household are clothed with scarlet.Mem 22 She makes coverings for herself;Her clothing is fine linen and purple.Nun 23 Her husband is known in the gates,When he sits with the elders of the land.Samekh 24 She makes linen garments and sellsthem,And gives belts to the 31:24Lit Canaanite tradesmen.Ayin 25 Strength and majesty are her clothing,And she smiles at the 31:25Lit latter days future.Pe 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,And the 31:26Or law instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.Tsadhe 27 She watches over the ways of her household,And does not eat the bread of 31:27Lit being a sluggard idleness.Qoph 28 Her children rise up and bless her;As for her husband, he also praises her,saying:Resh 29 “Many daughters have done excellently,But you have gone above them all.”Shin 30 31:30Lit Gracefulness Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,Buta woman who 31:30Or reverences fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.Tav 31 Give to her from the fruit of her hands,And let her works praise her in the gates.