| 1 | The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother. |
| 2 | 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 | Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. |
| 4 | 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 | 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 | Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter: |
| 7 | Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. |
| 8 | Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death. |
| 9 | Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. |
| 10 | Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels. |
| 11 | The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure. |
| 12 | She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| 13 | She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands. |
| 14 | She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away. |
| 15 | She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls. |
| 16 | After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work. |
| 17 | She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong. |
| 18 | She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night. |
| 19 | She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel. |
| 20 | Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. |
| 21 | She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red. |
| 22 | She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple. |
| 23 | Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. |
| 24 | She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price. |
| 25 | Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile. |
| 26 | Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue. |
| 27 | She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it. |
| 28 | Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying, |
| 29 | Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them. |
| 30 | 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 | Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place. |
