^{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} Words of Lemuel a king, a declaration that his mother taught him:

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

^{3 Ref} Give not to women thy strength, And thy ways to wiping away of kings.

^{4 Ref} Not for kings, O Lemuel, Not for kings, to drink wine, And for princes a desire of strong drink.

^{5 Ref} Lest he drink, and forget the decree, And change the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

^{6 Ref} Give strong drink to the perishing, And wine to the bitter in soul,

^{7 Ref} He drinketh, and forgetteth his poverty, And his misery he remembereth not again.

^{8 Ref} Open thy mouth for the dumb, For the right of all sons of change.

^{9 Ref} Open thy mouth, judge righteously, Both the cause of the poor and needy!'

^{10 Ref} A woman of worth who doth find? Yea, far above rubies `is' her price.

^{11 Ref} The heart of her husband hath trusted in her, And spoil he lacketh not.

^{12 Ref} She hath done him good, and not evil, All days of her life.

^{13 Ref} She hath sought wool and flax, And with delight she worketh `with' her hands.

^{14 Ref} She hath been as ships of the merchant, From afar she bringeth in her bread.

^{15 Ref} Yea, she riseth while yet night, And giveth food to her household, And a portion to her damsels.

^{16 Ref} She hath considered a field, and taketh it, From the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.

^{17 Ref} She hath girded with might her loins, And doth strengthen her arms.

^{18 Ref} She hath perceived when her merchandise `is' good, Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

^{19 Ref} Her hands she hath sent forth on a spindle, And her hands have held a distaff.

^{20 Ref} Her hand she hath spread forth to the poor, Yea, her hands she sent forth to the needy.

^{21 Ref} She is not afraid of her household from snow, For all her household are clothed `with' scarlet.

^{22 Ref} Ornamental coverings she hath made for herself, Silk and purple `are' her clothing.

^{23 Ref} Known in the gates is her husband, In his sitting with elders of the land.

^{24 Ref} Linen garments she hath made, and selleth, And a girdle she hath given to the merchant.

^{25 Ref} Strength and honour `are' her clothing, And she rejoiceth at a latter day.

^{26 Ref} Her mouth she hath opened in wisdom, And the law of kindness `is' on her tongue.

^{27 Ref} She `is' watching the ways of her household, And bread of sloth she eateth not.

^{28 Ref} Her sons have risen up, and pronounce her happy, Her husband, and he praiseth her,

^{29 Ref} `Many `are' the daughters who have done worthily, Thou hast gone up above them all.'

^{30 Ref} The grace `is' false, and the beauty `is' vain, A woman fearing Jehovah, she may boast herself.

^{31 Ref} Give ye to her of the fruit of her hands, And her works do 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!