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 thespindle. 

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 Yahweh, she shall be praised. 

³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.