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

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

3 D o not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 I t is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

5 L est they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

6 G ive strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

7 L et him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

8 O pen your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

9 O pen your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. The Virtuous Wife

10 W ho can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

11 T he heart of her husband safely trusts her; So 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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

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

15 S he also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

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

17 S he girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

18 S he perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

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

20 S he extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

21 S he is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

22 S he makes tapestry 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 sashes for the merchants.

25 S trength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

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

27 S he watches over 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 also, and he praises her:

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

30 C harm is deceitful and beauty is passing, 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.