| 1 | The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. |
| 2 | 'Oh, my son!' Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! |
| 3 | Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. |
| 4 | It is not for kings, 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 anyone who is afflicted. |
| 6 | Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul: |
| 7 | Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. |
| 8 | Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate. |
| 9 | Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy.' |
| 10 | Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. |
| 11 | The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. |
| 12 | She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life. |
| 13 | She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands. |
| 14 | She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. |
| 15 | She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And their task to her servant girls. |
| 16 | She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. |
| 17 | She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong. |
| 18 | She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. |
| 19 | She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. |
| 20 | She stretches out her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23 | Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24 | She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. |
| 25 | Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. |
| 26 | She opens her mouth with wisdom. The law of kindness is on her tongue. |
| 27 | She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28 | Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: |
| 29 | 'Many women do noble things, But you excel them all.' |
| 30 | Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. |
| 31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gates. |