1 - The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 - What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
3 - Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 - It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?
5 - Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.
6 - Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
7 - Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8 - Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
9 - Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
10 - A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
11 - The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
12 - She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
13 - She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
14 - She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
16 - She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 - She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
18 - She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
19 - She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 - She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 - She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 - Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 - She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 - Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
26 - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27 - She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 - Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
29 - Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
30 - Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
31 - Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.