1: The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2: What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3: Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5: Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7: Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8: Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9: Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10: Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12: She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13: She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14: She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15: She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16: She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17: She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18: She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19: She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20: She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21: She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. 22: She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24: She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25: Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28: Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29: Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30: Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
