1 ¶ The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy with which his mother taught him.

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

3 D o not give thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings.

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

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

6 G ive beer unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that have heavy hearts.

7 T hey drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more.

8 O pen thy mouth for those who cannot speak in the judgment of all the sons of death.

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

10 ¶ Aleph Who can find a valiant woman? for her price is far above precious stones.

11 B eth The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 G imel She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 D aleth She sought wool and flax and worked willingly with her hands.

14 H e She was like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.

15 V au She rose up even at night and gave food to her family and a portion to her maidens.

16 Z ain She considered the inheritance and bought it; with the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.

17 C heth She girded her loins with strength and strengthened her arms.

18 T eth She perceived that her merchandise was good; her fire did not go out by night.

19 J od She laid her hands to the spindle, and her hands held the distaff.

20 C aph She stretched out her hand to the poor; yea, she reached forth her hands to the destitute.

21 L amed She shall not be afraid of the snow for her family, for all her family is clothed with double garments.

22 M em She makes herself tapestries; her clothing is of fine linen and purple.

23 N un Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 S amech She made fine linen and sold it and delivered girdles unto the merchant.

25 A in Strength and glory is her clothing, and she shall laugh in the last day.

26 P e She opened her mouth with wisdom, and the law of mercy is upon her tongue.

27 T zaddi She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat bread in idleness.

28 K oph Her sons rose up and called her blessed; her husband also, and he praised her.

29 R esh Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou dost excel them all.

30 S chin Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but the woman that fears the LORD shall be praised.

31 T au Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.