^{1 Ref} The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

^{2 Ref} What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?

^{3 Ref} Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.

^{4 Ref} It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?

^{5 Ref} For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.

^{6 Ref} Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:

^{7 Ref} Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.

^{8 Ref} Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.

^{9 Ref} Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.

^{10 Ref} Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.

^{11 Ref} The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.

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

^{13 Ref} She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.

^{14 Ref} She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.

^{15 Ref} She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.

^{16 Ref} After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.

^{17 Ref} She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.

^{18 Ref} She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.

^{19 Ref} She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.

^{20 Ref} Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.

^{21 Ref} She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.

^{22 Ref} She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.

^{23 Ref} Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.

^{24 Ref} She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.

^{25 Ref} Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.

^{26 Ref} Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.

^{27 Ref} She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.

^{28 Ref} Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,

^{29 Ref} Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.

^{30 Ref} Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.

^{31 Ref} Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.

^{1 Ref} The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

^{2 Ref} What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the 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 strong drink:

^{5 Ref} Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

^{6 Ref} Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

^{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 appointed to destruction.

^{9 Ref} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

^{10 Ref} Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

^{11 Ref} The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

^{12 Ref} She will do 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 merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

^{15 Ref} She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion 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 strengtheneth her arms.

^{18 Ref} She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

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

^{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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

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

^{24 Ref} She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

^{25 Ref} Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

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

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

^{28 Ref} Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

^{29 Ref} Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

^{30 Ref} Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

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

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

^{2 Ref} "Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!

^{3 Ref} Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

^{4 Ref} It is not for kings, 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 anyone who is afflicted.

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

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

^{8 Ref} Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.

^{9 Ref} Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."

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

^{11 Ref} The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.

^{12 Ref} She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life.

^{13 Ref} She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands.

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

^{15 Ref} She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls.

^{16 Ref} She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.

^{17 Ref} She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong.

^{18 Ref} She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.

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

^{20 Ref} She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

^{24 Ref} She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant.

^{25 Ref} Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.

^{26 Ref} She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.

^{27 Ref} She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.

^{28 Ref} Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:

^{29 Ref} "Many women do noble things, But you excel them all."

^{30 Ref} Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

^{31 Ref} Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!