1 T he words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:

2 W hat, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?

3 G ive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.

4 I t is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers, Where is the strong drink?

5 — lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.

6 G ive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:

7 l et him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 O pen thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

9 O pen thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.

10 W ho can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.

11 T he heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.

12 S he doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

13 S he seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 S he is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar;

15 A nd she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens.

16 S he considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 S he girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.

18 S he perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.

19 S he putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20 S he stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

21 S he is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22 S he maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.

23 H er husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 S he maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25 S trength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth the coming day.

26 S he openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 S he surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 H er children rise up and call her blessed; her husband, and he praiseth her:

29 M any daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.

30 G racefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

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