The Words of King Lemuel
The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, ason of my womb?
What are you doing, bson of my vows?
3 Do anot give your strength to women,
your ways to those bwho destroy kings.
4 aIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings bto drink wine,
or for rulers to take cstrong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and apervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who ais perishing,
and wine to bthose in bitter distress;
7 alet them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 aOpen your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, ajudge righteously,
bdefend the rights of cthe poor and needy.
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10 aAn excellent wife who can find?
She is far more precious than bjewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm,
all the days of her life.
13 She aseeks wool and flax,
and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
she brings her food from afar.
15 She arises while it is yet night
and bprovides food for her household
and portions for her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it;
with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She adresses herself with strength
and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She aopens her hand to bthe poor
and reaches out her hands to bthe needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
for all her household are clothed in ascarlet.
22 She makes abed coverings for herself;
her clothing is bfine linen and cpurple.
23 Her husband is known in athe gates
when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes alinen garments and sells them;
she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 aStrength and dignity are her clothing,
and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to 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 awomen have done bexcellently,
but you surpass them all.”
30 aCharm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
and let her works praise her in the gates.