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

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

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

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

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

Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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

It is not for kings, O 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 any that is afflicted.

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

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

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

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

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

Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

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

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

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

A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

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

The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

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

She doeth 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.

She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

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

She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

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

She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

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

She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

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

She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

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

She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.

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

She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

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

She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

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

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

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

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

Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

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

She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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

Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

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

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

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

She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

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

Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:

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

Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

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

Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31 T au Give 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; And let her works praise her in the gates.