| 1 | The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: | |
| 2 | What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? | |
| 3 | Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. | |
| 4 | It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink; | |
| 5 | Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. | |
| 6 | Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. | |
| 7 | Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. | |
| 8 | Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die. | |
| 9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy. | |
| 10 | Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. | |
| 11 | The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain. | |
| 12 | She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. | |
| 13 | She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands. | |
| 14 | She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar. | |
| 15 | She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. | |
| 16 | She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard. | |
| 17 | She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. | |
| 18 | She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. | |
| 19 | She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. | |
| 20 | She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. | |
| 21 | She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet. | |
| 22 | She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. | |
| 23 | Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. | |
| 24 | She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. | |
| 25 | Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. | |
| 26 | She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. | |
| 27 | She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. | |
| 28 | Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her: | |
| 29 | "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all." | |
| 30 | Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. | |
| 31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates. | |