1The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, with which his mother instructed him.
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to those who destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave strong drink;
5lest he drink and forget what is decreed, and pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter of soul.
7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
8Open your mouth for the mute, for the cause of all who are passing away.
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
10A woman of valor — who can find? Her worth is far beyond corals.
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks no gain.
12She repays him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She seeks out wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
14She is like the merchant ships; from afar she brings her food.
15She rises while it is still night and gives food to her household, and a portion to her servant girls.
16She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
18She perceives that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out at night.
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her palms grasp the spindle.
20She spreads out her palm to the poor, and stretches out her hands to the needy.
21She has no fear for her household because of snow, for all her household is clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies sashes to the merchant.
25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the days to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of loyal love is on her tongue.
27She watches over the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her sons rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29‘Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all.’
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears Yahweh — she shall be praised.
31Give her from the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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