1 P alabras del rey Lemuel: profecía con que lo instruyó su madre.

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

2 « ¿Qué decirte, hijo mío, hijo de mi vientre! ¿Qué decirte, hijo de mis anhelos!

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

3 N o des tu fuerza a las mujeres, ni tus caminos a las que destruyen a los reyes.

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

4 » No es digno de reyes, Lemuel, no es digno de reyes beber vino, ni de príncipes darse a la sidra;

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

5 p ues quizá 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 la sidra al desfallecido y el vino al de ánimo amargado:

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

7 q ue beban, que se olviden de su necesidad y no se acuerden más de su miseria.

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

8 A bre tu boca en 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.

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 » Mujer virtuosa, ¿quién la hallará? Su valor sobrepasa largamente al 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 D e ella recibe el bien y no el mal todos los días de su vida.

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

13 E lla busca la lana y el lino, y trabaja gustosamente con sus manos.

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

14 E s como la nave del mercader, que trae su pan desde lejos.

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

15 S iendo aún de noche, se levanta para dar la comida a su familia y la ración 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 C onsidera la heredad y la compra, y con sus propias manos planta una viña.

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

17 S e ciñe firmemente la cintura 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 sus manos a la rueca y sus dedos manejan el huso.

She puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

20 A larga su mano al pobre; extiende sus manos al menesteroso.

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

21 N o teme por su familia cuando nieva, porque toda su familia va vestida de ropas abrigadas.

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

22 E lla se teje los tapices, y de lino fino y de 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 de la ciudad, cuando se sienta con los ancianos del país.

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

24 T eje telas y las vende, y provee de cintas 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 se ríe de lo por venir.

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

26 A bre su boca con sabiduría y la ley de la clemencia está en su lengua.

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

27 C onsidera la marcha 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 S us hijos se levantan y la llaman bienaventurada, y su marido también la alaba:

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

29 “ ¡Muchas mujeres han hecho el bien, pero 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, pero 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 ¡ Ofrecedle del fruto de sus manos, y que en las puertas de la ciudad la alaben sus hechos!»

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