1 P alabras de Lemuel rey de Massá; el oráculo 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 a las mujeres tu fuerza, Ni tus caminos a lo que destruye a los reyes.

Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which destroys 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, or for rulers to desire strong drink.

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

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

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

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

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

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 con justicia, Y defiende la causa del pobre y del menesteroso. Elogio de la mujer hacendosa

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 virtuosa, ¿quién la hallará? Porque su valía sobrepasa largamente a la de las 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 confía en ella, Y no carecerá de ganancias.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

15 S e levanta cuando todavía es de noche Y da comida a su familia Y labor a 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 O bserva una finca, y la compra, Y planta una 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 iñe con fuerza sus lomos, Y esfuerza sus brazos.

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

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

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

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

She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

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

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

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 those in her house, for all of them are dressed in red.

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

She makes coverings for herself. Her clothes are linen cloth 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 sits among the leaders of the land.

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

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

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

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

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

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

27 V igila los caminos de su familia, 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 S e levantan sus hijos y la llaman dichosa; Y su marido también la alaba:

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

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