1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him.
2 O son whom I bore, give heed to my words;
and observe my sayings, you son of my vows.
3 Give not your strength to women,
nor your love to those that slay kings.
4 Nor for kings is it right to drink wine,
or for princes to long for strong drink;
5 Lest in drink they forget the law,
and do wrong to the cause of the sorrowful.
6 But give drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to the bitter in soul;
7 so that in drink he forget his poverty,
and think of his sorrow no more.
8 Open your mouth for the widow,
do right by all fatherless children.
9 Open your mouth in just judgment.
defend the poor and the needy.
10 A woman of worth who can find?
Her price is far above corals.
11 To her her husband trusts,
and finds no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not harm
all the days of his life.
13 She looks out wool and flax.
and works it up as she will.
14 Like the merchant-ships is she;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She rises while yet it is night,
and gives her household food,
and her maidens their portion appointed.
16 She examines a field and buys it;
with her earnings she plants a vineyard,
17 She girds her loins with strength,
and with vigour she plies her arms.
18 She perceives that her profit is good;
her lamp never goes out in the night.
19 She lays her hand on the distaff;
her hand takes hold of the spindle.
20 She stretches her hand to the poor,
and her hand she extends to the needy.
21 She fears not the snow for her household;
her household are all clad in scarlet.
22 And coverlets she has made her;
her raiment is linen and purple.
23 In the gates is her husband well known,
where he sits with the elders in council.
24 Linen she makes and sells;
to the merchant she furnishes girdles.
25 She is clothed with strength and glory;
she laughs at the days to come.
26 Her mouth she opens in wisdom;
kind counsel is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household;
she eats not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and bless her;
her husband sings her praises:
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
but you excellest them all!”
30 Grace is deceptive, and beauty is transient.
but a woman of character — she will be praised.
31 Give her then what her hands have earned,
even the praise of her deeds in the gates.