1: The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that 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 them that destroy kings. 4: It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink? 5: -- lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. 6: Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul: 7: let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8: Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. 9: Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy. 10: Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. 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 merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar; 15: And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens. 16: She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of 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 earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. 19: She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20: She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and 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 coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple. 23: Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24: She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25: Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day. 26: She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. 27: She surveyeth 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: 29: Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. 30: Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
