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

The words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.

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

“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

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

Don’t give your strength to women, nor 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, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

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

lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

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 ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

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

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery 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 the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

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

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

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

Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

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. He shall have no lack of gain.

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

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

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

She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

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

She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

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

She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

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

She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

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

She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.

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

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

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

She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

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

She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

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 her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

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

She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

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

Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

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

She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction 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 her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

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

Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

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

“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

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

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

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

Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!