1 T he words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

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

3 D o not give your strength to women, Or 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,

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

6 G ive 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 trouble no more.

8 O pen your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

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

10 A n excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

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

12 S he does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 S he looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

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

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

16 S he considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

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

19 S he stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20 S he 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.

22 S he makes coverings for herself; 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.

24 S he makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 S trength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

26 S he opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

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

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

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

30 C harm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 G ive her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.