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

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

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

What, 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.

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, or for rulers to desire strong drink.

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

Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

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

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

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

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

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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She 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 clothes are linen cloth and purple.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law 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.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.