| 1 | The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. |
| 2 | What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? |
| 3 | Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. |
| 4 | 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 | Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted. |
| 6 | Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: |
| 7 | Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. |
| 8 | Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate. |
| 9 | Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy. |
| 10 | A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. |
| 11 | The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain. |
| 12 | She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life. |
| 13 | She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands. |
| 14 | She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar. |
| 15 | She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens. |
| 16 | She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
| 17 | She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms. |
| 18 | She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night. |
| 19 | She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. |
| 20 | She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
| 21 | She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22 | She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23 | Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
| 24 | She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
| 25 | Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come. |
| 26 | She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. |
| 27 | She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness. |
| 28 | Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]: |
| 29 | Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all. |
| 30 | Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. |
| 31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates. |
