1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

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.