1: The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 2: What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O 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 [to say], Where is strong drink? 5: Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted. 6: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: 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 left desolate. 9: Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. 10: A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. 12: She doeth 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 merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. 15: She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task 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 maketh strong her arms. 18: She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night. 19: She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 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 for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24: She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25: Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. 26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 27: She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. 28: Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]: 29: Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. 30: Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
