[1] The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him: [2]
What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? [3] Give not your
strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. [4] It is not for
kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire
strong drink; [5] lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and
pervert the rights of all the afflicted. [6] Give strong drink to him who
is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; [7] let them drink and
forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. [8] Open your
mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate. [9] Open
your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
[10] A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. [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
seeks 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 rises while
it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for 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
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 opens her hand to the
poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy. [21] She is not afraid of
snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. [22]
She makes herself coverings; 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; she delivers girdles to
the merchant. [25] Strength 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
women have done excellently, but you surpass them all." [30] Charm 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.
