15/09/2024
Proverbs 31:1-31
[1]The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
[2]Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
[3]Do not spend your strength on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.
[4]It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,
not for rulers to crave beer,
[5]lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
[6]Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine for those who are in anguish!
[7]Let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
[8]Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
[9]Speak up and judge fairly;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.
[10]A wife of noble character who can find?
She is worth far more than rubies.
[11]Her husband has full confidence in her
and lacks nothing of value.
[12]She brings him good, not harm,
all the days of her life.
[13]She selects wool and flax
and works with eager hands.
[14]She is like the merchant ships,
bringing her food from afar.
[15]She gets up while it is still night;
she provides food for her family
and portions for her female servants.
[16]She considers a field and buys it;
out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
[17]She sets about her work vigorously;
her arms are strong for her tasks.
[18]She sees that her trading is profitable,
and her lamp does not go out at night.
[19]In her hand she holds the distaff
and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
[20]She opens her arms to the poor
and extends her hands to the needy.
[21]When it snows, she has no fear for her household;
for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
[22]She makes coverings for her bed;
she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
[23]Her husband is respected at the city gate,
where he takes his seat among the elders of the la
