[1] The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his
mother. [2] What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O
son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? [3] Do not give your strength
to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. [4] It is
not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to
say, Where is strong drink? [5] For fear that through drinking they may
come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who
are in trouble. [6] Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction,
and wine to him whose soul is bitter: [7] Let him have drink, and his need
will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. [8] Let
your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who
are ready for death. [9] Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give
right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need. [10] Who may
make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than
jewels. [11] The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have
profit in full measure. [12] She does him good and not evil all the days of
her life. [13] She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her
hands. [14] She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away. [15]
She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and
their food to her servant-girls. [16] After looking at a field with care,
she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her
work. [17] She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms
strong. [18] She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light
does not go out by night. [19] She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod,
and her fingers take the wheel. [20] Her hands are stretched out to the
poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need. [21] She has no
fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in
red. [22] She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is
fair linen and purple. [23] Her husband is a man of note in the public
place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land. [24]
She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth
bands for a price. [25] Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is
facing the future with a smile. [26] Her mouth is open to give out wisdom,
and the law of mercy is on her tongue. [27] She gives attention to the ways
of her family, she does not take her food without working for it. [28] Her
children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise,
saying, [29] Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all
of them. [30] Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value;
but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised. [31] Give her
credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the
public place.
