1 T he words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

2 W hat, my son? What, son who came from within me? What, son of my promises?

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 O r they might drink and forget the law, and go against the rights of all who are suffering.

6 G ive strong drink to him who is about to die, and wine to him whose life is full of trouble.

7 L et him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no more.

8 O pen your mouth for those who cannot speak, and for the rights of those who are left without help.

9 O pen your mouth. Be right and fair in what you decide. Stand up for the rights of those who are suffering and in need.

10 W ho can find a good wife? For she is worth far more than rubies that make one rich.

11 T he heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will never stop getting good things.

12 S he does him good and not bad all the days of her life.

13 S he looks for wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

14 S he is like ships that trade. She brings her food from far away.

15 S he rises while it is still night and makes food for all those in her house. She gives work for the young women to do.

16 S he gives careful thought to a field and buys it. She plants grape-vines from what she has earned.

17 S he makes herself ready with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 S he sees that what she has earned is good. Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 S he puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

20 S he opens her hand to the poor, and holds out her hands to those in need.

21 S he is not afraid of the snow for those in her house, for all of them are dressed in red.

22 S he makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth and purple.

23 H er husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the leaders of the land.

24 S he makes linen clothes and sells them. She brings belts to those who trade.

25 H er clothes are strength and honor. She is full of joy about the future.

26 S he opens her mouth with wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 S he looks well to the ways of those in her house, and does not eat the bread of doing nothing.

28 H er children rise up and honor her. Her husband does also, and he praises her, saying:

29 “ Many daughters have done well, but you have done better than all of them.”

30 P leasing ways lie and beauty comes to nothing, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

31 G ive her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.