1 T he words of king Lemuel; the revelation which his mother taught him.

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

2 “ Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3 D on’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

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

4 I t is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5 l est they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 G ive strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7 L et him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

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

8 O pen your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

9 O pen your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. Description of a Worthy Woman

10 W ho can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.

An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

11 T he heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

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

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

13 S he seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.

She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

14 S he is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.

She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15 S he rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.

She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

16 S he considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

18 S he perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.

She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

19 S he lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20 S he opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.

She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21 S he is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

22 S he makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

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

24 S he makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.

She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25 S trength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

26 S he opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27 S he looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.

She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 H er children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29 “ Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”

“Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”

30 C harm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

31 G ive her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!

Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.