1 T he words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

2 W hat, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

What, my son? What, son who came from within me? What, son of my promises?

3 G ive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 I t is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.

5 l est they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Or they might drink and forget the law, and go against the rights of all who are suffering.

6 G ive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Give strong drink to him who is about to die, and wine to him whose life is full of trouble.

7 L et him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Let him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no more.

8 O pen thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, and for the rights of those who are left without help.

9 O pen thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

Open your mouth. Be right and fair in what you decide. Stand up for the rights of those who are suffering and in need.

10 W ho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

Who can find a good wife? For she is worth far more than rubies that make one rich.

11 T he heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never stop getting good things.

12 S he will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

13 S he seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She looks for wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

14 S he is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She is like ships that trade. She brings her food from far away.

15 S he riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She rises while it is still night and makes food for all those in her house. She gives work for the young women to do.

16 S he considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She gives careful thought to a field and buys it. She plants grape-vines from what she has earned.

17 S he girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

She makes herself ready with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 S he perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

She sees that what she has earned is good. Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 S he layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

20 S he stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She opens her hand to the poor, and holds out her hands to those in need.

21 S he is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

She is not afraid of the snow for those in her house, for all of them are dressed in red.

22 S he maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

She makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth and purple.

23 H er husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the leaders of the land.

24 S he maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

She makes linen clothes and sells them. She brings belts to those who trade.

25 S trength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

Her clothes are strength and honor. She is full of joy about the future.

26 S he openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 S he looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She looks well to the ways of those in her house, and does not eat the bread of doing nothing.

28 H er children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Her children rise up and honor her. Her husband does also, and he praises her, saying:

29 M any daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

“Many daughters have done well, but you have done better than all of them.”

30 F avour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Pleasing ways lie and beauty comes to nothing, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

31 G ive her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.