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

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

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

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

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.

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

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 about to die, and wine to him whose life is full of trouble.

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

Let him drink and forget how poor he is, 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 those who cannot speak, and for the rights of those who are left without help.

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

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

Who can find a good wife? For she is worth far more than rubies that make one rich.

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 never stop getting good things.

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

She does him good and not bad 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 willing hands.

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

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

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

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

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

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

She makes herself ready 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 sees that what she has earned 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 puts her hands to the wheel to make cloth.

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

She opens her mouth with wisdom. 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 those in her house, and does not eat the bread of doing nothing.

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

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

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

“Many daughters have done well, but you have done better than all of them.”

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

Pleasing ways lie and beauty comes to nothing, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

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

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