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

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

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

What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3 G ive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.

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

4 I t is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers, Where is the 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 — lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.

For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 G ive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:

Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

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 trouble no more.

8 O pen thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

9 O pen thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.

Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. Description of a Worthy Woman

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

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

11 T he heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

12 S he doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

She does him good and not evil 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 her hands in delight.

14 S he is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;

She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15 A nd she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.

She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

16 S he considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

18 S he perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.

She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

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

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20 S he stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.

She makes coverings for herself; 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 known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

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

She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 S trength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth the coming day.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

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

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 S he surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 H er children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, and he praiseth her:

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

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

“Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

30 G racefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who 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.

Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.