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

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

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

What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, 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, Nor 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, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

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

Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice 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 those who are bitter of heart.

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 misery no more.

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

Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

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

Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. The Virtuous Wife

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

Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

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

The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So 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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

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

She is like the 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 also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

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 profits she plants a vineyard.

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

She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

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

She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by 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 hand holds 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, Yes, she reaches 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 snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

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

She makes tapestry 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 sashes for the merchants.

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

Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

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

She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

She watches over 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 call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:

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

“Many daughters have done well, 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 passing, 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 of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.