1 P alabras de Lemuel rey de Massá; el oráculo con que le enseñó su madre.

The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

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

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 N o des a las mujeres tu fuerza, Ni tus caminos a lo que destruye a los reyes.

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 N o es para los reyes, oh Lemuel, no es para los reyes beber vino, Ni para los príncipes los licores;

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

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

lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6 D ad el licor fuerte al desfallecido, Y el vino a los de amargado ánimo.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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

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

8 A bre tu boca a favor del mudo En el juicio de todos los desvalidos.

Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 A bre tu boca, juzga con justicia, Y defiende la causa del pobre y del menesteroso. Elogio de la mujer hacendosa

Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 M ujer virtuosa, ¿quién la hallará? Porque su valía sobrepasa largamente a la de las piedras preciosas.

Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

11 E l corazón de su marido confía en ella, Y no carecerá de ganancias.

The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 L e aporta ella dicha y no desventura Todos los días de su vida.

She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 B usca lana y lino, Y con ánimo alegre trabaja con sus manos.

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

14 E s como nave de mercader; Trae de lejos sus provisiones.

She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 S e levanta cuando todavía es de noche Y da comida a su familia Y labor a sus criadas.

She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 O bserva una finca, y la compra, Y planta una viña del fruto de sus manos.

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

17 C iñe con fuerza sus lomos, Y esfuerza sus brazos.

She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 V e que van bien sus negocios; Su lámpara no se apaga de noche.

She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 A plica su mano al huso, Y sus palmas sostienen la rueca.

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

20 A larga su palma al pobre, Y extiende sus manos al menesteroso.

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

21 N o tiene temor de la nieve por su familia, Porque toda su familia está vestida de trajes forrados.

She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 S u marido es conocido en las puertas, Cuando se sienta con los ancianos de la tierra,

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

24 H ace telas, y las vende, Y da ceñidores al mercader.

She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 F uerza y honor son su vestidura; Y sonríe ante el porvenir.

Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 A bre su boca con sabiduría, Y la instrucción bondadosa está en su lengua.

She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 V igila los caminos de su familia, Y no come el pan de balde.

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

28 S e levantan sus hijos y la llaman dichosa; Y su marido también la alaba:

Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29 M uchas mujeres se mostraron virtuosas; Mas tú las sobrepasas a todas.

Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

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

Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

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

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