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

The words of Lemuel king of Massa, 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? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows and dedication to God?

3 G ive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

Give 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; nor for princes 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 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 what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted.

6 G ive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Give 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 misery no more.

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

8 O pen thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

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

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

Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.

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

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 doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

The 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 will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

13 S he seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands.

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

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

15 S he riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

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

16 S he considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

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

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

She girds herself with strength and makes her arms strong and firm.

18 S he perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

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

She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 S he stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled 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 fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.

22 S he maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

She 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 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 fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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

25 S trength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

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

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

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

27 S he looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

She 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 arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

Her 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, but thou excellest them all.

Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, and well, but you excel them all.

30 F avour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

Charm 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.

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates!