A Mother's Oracle for a King
A queen mother warns her son the king that wine makes rulers forget the rights of the oppressed, so he must speak for the voiceless. Then a portrait of a capable wife buying fields, trading at a profit, working past dark, and praised at the city gates.
31 1The words of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him: 2What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who destroy kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel—not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink. 5For if they drink, they will forget what is decreed and pervert the rights of all the oppressed. 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress. 7Let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the voiceless, for the rights of all who are left destitute. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the poor and needy.
A Woman of Valor
10A woman of valor—who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack nothing of value. 12She does him good and not harm, all the days of her life. 13She seeks out wool and flax, and works with willing hands. 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. 15She rises while it is still night, provides food for her household, and portions for her servant girls. 16She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She wraps herself in strength and makes her arms strong. 18She perceives that her trading is profitable; her lamp does not go out at night. 19She puts her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands grasp the spindle. 20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. 21She has no fear for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. 22She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes to the merchants. 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all." 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who reveres our Father—she will be praised. 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
