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.
1 利慕伊勒王的话， 是 神的默示， 是他母亲教训他的：
2 "我儿， 我腹中生的儿啊！ 我许愿所得的儿啊， 我要对你说什么呢？
3 不要把你的精力给妇女， 也不要有败坏君王的行为。
4 利慕伊勒啊！ 君王不可喝酒； 君王千万不可喝酒； 掌权的不可贪饮烈酒。
5 恐怕喝了酒， 就忘记律例， 把困苦人的一切案件都颠倒了。
6 要把烈酒给将要灭亡的人喝； 把酒给心里愁苦的人喝；
7 让他喝了， 就忘记自己的贫穷， 也不再记念自己的烦恼。
8 你要为不能自辩的人开口说话， 为所有贫苦的人伸冤。
9 你要开口说话， 秉公审判， 为困苦和穷乏的人伸冤。"
10 有才德的妇人， 谁能得着呢？她的价值远胜过红宝石。
11 她丈夫心里倚靠她， 就不会缺少收入。
12 她一生的年日， 只带给丈夫益处， 没有害处。
13 她搜求羊毛和细麻， 乐意亲手作工。
14 她好像一队商船， 从远方运来食物。
15 天还未亮， 她就起来， 把食物分给家人， 把当作的工分派众婢女。
16 她选择了一块田， 就把它买下来， 用自己双手赚得的收入栽种葡萄园。
17 她以能力束腰， 使自己的膀臂有力。
18 她知道自己的经营获利， 她的灯终夜不灭。
19 她伸手拿着卷线竿， 手掌握着纺锤。
20 她张手赒济困苦人， 伸手帮助穷乏人。
21 她不因下雪为自己的家人担心， 因为她全家都穿着温暖的朱红色衣服。
22 她为自己做床毯， 她的衣服是细麻和紫色布料做的。
23 她丈夫与本地的长老在城门口同坐， 是众人都认识的。
24 她做细麻布衣服出售， 又供应腰带给商人。
25 她以能力和威仪为衣服， 想到日后的幸福就欢笑。
26 她开口就说出智慧的话； 她的舌头上充满慈爱的训诲。
27 她监管一切家务， 从不白吃闲饭。
28 她的儿女都起来称她是有福的， 她的丈夫也称赞她， 说：
29 "有才德的女子很多， 但你比她们更超卓。"
30 艳丽是虚假的， 美容是虚浮的； 唯有敬畏耶和华的妇女， 必得称赞。
31 愿她享受自己手所作的成果； 愿她的工作在城门口使她受称赞。