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

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

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

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

3 G ive not your strength to women, nor your ways to those who and that which ruin and destroy 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, or for rulers to desire 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 what it decrees, and pervert the justice due 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 to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.

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 want and misery no more.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

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

Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

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

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to 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.

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

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.

The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 S he makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure and fine, and of 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 sits 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 makes fine linen garments and leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles.

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

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

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

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

She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

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.

She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

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

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

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

“Many women do noble things, 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!

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!