1 T he words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

2 W hat, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows and dedication to God?

3 G ive not your strength to women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy kings.

4 I t 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 what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted.

6 G ive strong drink to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.

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

8 O pen your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate and defenseless;

9 O pen your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.

10 A capable, intelligent, and virtuous woman—who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels and her value is far above rubies or pearls.

11 T he heart of her husband trusts in her confidently and relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of gain or need of spoil.

12 S he comforts, encourages, and does him only good as long as there is life within her.

13 S he seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands.

14 S he is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household’s food from a far.

15 S he rises while it is yet night and gets food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.

16 S he considers a field before she buys or accepts it; with her savings she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

17 S he girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong and firm.

18 S he tastes and sees that her gain from work is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night.

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

20 S he opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

21 S he fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.

22 S he makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of purple.

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

24 S he makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles.

25 S trength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future!

26 S he opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 S he looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.

28 H er children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of and praises her,,

29 M any daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well, but you excel them all.

30 C harm and grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain, but a woman who reverently and worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!

31 G ive her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates!