1 P ALABRAS del rey Lemuel; la profecía con que le enseñó su madre.

The words of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:

2 ¿ Qué, hijo mío? ¿y qué, hijo de mi vientre? ¿Y qué, hijo de mis deseos?

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

3 N o des á las mujeres tu fuerza, Ni tus caminos á lo que es para destruir los reyes.

Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 N o es de los reyes, oh Lemuel, no es de los reyes beber vino, Ni de los príncipes la cerveza.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink.

5 N o sea que bebiendo olviden la ley, Y perviertan el derecho de todos los hijos afligidos.

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

6 D ad la cerveza al desfallecido, Y el vino á los de amargo ánimo:

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

7 B eban, y olvídense de su necesidad, Y de su miseria no más se acuerden.

Let him drink and forget how poor he is, and remember his trouble no more.

8 A bre tu boca por el mudo, En el juicio de todos los hijos de muerte.

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

9 A bre tu boca, juzga justicia, Y el derecho del pobre y del menesteroso.

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

10 M ujer fuerte, ¿quién la hallará? Porque su estima sobrepuja largamente á la de piedras preciosas.

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

11 E l corazón de su marido está en ella confiado, Y no tendrá necesidad de despojo.

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

12 D arále ella bien y no mal, Todos los días de su vida.

She does him good and not bad all the days of her life.

13 B uscó lana y lino, Y con voluntad labró de sus manos.

She looks for wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

14 F ué como navío de mercader: Trae su pan de lejos.

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

15 L evantóse aun de noche, Y dió comida á su familia, Y ración á sus criadas.

She 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 C onsideró la heredad, y compróla; Y plantó viña del fruto de sus manos.

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

17 C iñó sus lomos de fortaleza, Y esforzó sus brazos.

She makes herself ready with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 G ustó que era buena su granjería: Su candela no se apagó de noche.

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

19 A plicó sus manos al huso, Y sus manos tomaron la rueca.

She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

20 A largó su mano al pobre, Y extendió sus manos al menesteroso.

She opens her hand to the poor, and holds out her hands to those in need.

21 N o tendrá temor de la nieve por su familia, Porque toda su familia está vestida de ropas dobles.

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

22 E lla se hizo tapices; De lino fino y púrpura es su vestido.

She makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth and purple.

23 C onocido es su marido en las puertas, Cuando se sienta con los ancianos de la tierra.

Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the leaders of the land.

24 H izo telas, y vendió; Y dió cintas al mercader.

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

25 F ortaleza y honor son su vestidura; Y en el día postrero reirá.

Her clothes are strength and honor. She is full of joy about the future.

26 A brió su boca con sabiduría: Y la ley de clemencia está en su lengua.

She opens her mouth with wisdom. The teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 C onsidera los caminos de su casa, Y no come el pan de balde.

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

28 L evantáronse sus hijos, y llamáronla bienaventurada; Y su marido también la alabó.

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

29 M uchas mujeres hicieron el bien; Mas tú las sobrepujaste á todas.

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

30 E ngañosa es la gracia, y vana la hermosura: La mujer que teme á Jehová, ésa será alabada.

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

31 D adle el fruto de sus manos, Y alábenla en las puertas sus hechos.

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