[1] The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
[2] What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
[3] Give not 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 strong drink:
[5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
[6] Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that be of heavy hearts.
[7] Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
[8] Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. ¶
[10] Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
[11] The heart of her husband does safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
[12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
[13] She seeks wool, and flax, and works willingly with her hands.
[14] She is like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.
[15] She rises also while it is yet night, and gives meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
[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 strengthens her arms.
[18] She perceives that her merchandise is good: her candle goes not out by night.
[19] She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
[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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
[23] Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
[24] She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchant.
[25] Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
[26] She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
[27] She looks well to the ways of her household, and eats not the bread of idleness.
[28] Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her.
[29] Many daughters have done virtuously, but you excel them all.
[30] Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that 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.
