Proverbs 31:3-16

English Standard Version

³ Do ^(A)not give your strength to women,
    your ways to those ^(B)who destroy kings.
^4 (C)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
    it is not for kings ^(D)to drink wine,
    or for rulers to take ^(E)strong drink,
⁵ lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
    and ^(F)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
⁶ Give strong drink to the one who ^(G)is perishing,
    and wine to ^(H)those in bitter distress;^[a]
7 (I)let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.
^8 (J)Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.^[b]
9 Open your mouth, ^(K)judge righteously,
    ^(L)defend the rights of ^(M)the poor and needy.

^{10 [c] (N)}An excellent wife who can find?
    She is far more precious than ^(O)jewels.
¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her,
    and he will have no lack of gain.
¹² She does him good, and not harm,
    all the days of her life.
¹³ She ^(P)seeks wool and flax,
    and works with willing hands.
¹⁴ She is like the ships of the merchant;
    she brings her food from afar.
¹⁵ She ^(Q)rises while it is yet night
    and ^(R)provides food for her household
    and portions for her maidens.
¹⁶ She considers a field and buys it;
    with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.