^{1 Ref} The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

^{2 Ref} What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

^{3 Ref} Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

^{4 Ref} 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 Ref} Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice `due' to any that is afflicted.

^{6 Ref} Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:

^{7 Ref} Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.

^{8 Ref} Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.

^{9 Ref} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.

^{10 Ref} A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.

^{11 Ref} The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.

^{12 Ref} She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.

^{13 Ref} She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.

^{14 Ref} She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.

^{15 Ref} She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.

^{16 Ref} She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

^{17 Ref} She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.

^{18 Ref} She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.

^{19 Ref} She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.

^{20 Ref} She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

^{21 Ref} She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

^{22 Ref} She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

^{23 Ref} Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.

^{24 Ref} She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

^{25 Ref} Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.

^{26 Ref} She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

^{27 Ref} She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

^{28 Ref} Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband `also', and he praiseth her, `saying':

^{29 Ref} Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.

^{30 Ref} Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; `But' a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

^{31 Ref} Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.