1: The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 2: "Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! 3: Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 4: It is not for kings, 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 anyone who is afflicted. 6: Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul: 7: Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. 8: Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate. 9: Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy." 10: Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. 11: The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. 12: She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life. 13: She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands. 14: She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. 15: She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls. 16: She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. 17: She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong. 18: She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. 19: She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 20: She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23: Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24: She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. 25: Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. 26: She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. 27: She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness. 28: Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: 29: "Many women do noble things, But you excel them all." 30: Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. 31: Give her of the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gates.
