[1] The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. [2]
"Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! [3] Don`t give
your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings. [4]
It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for
princes to say, `Where is strong drink?` [5] Lest they drink, and forget
the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. [6]
Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter
in soul: [7] Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his
misery no more. [8] Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all
who are left desolate. [9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve
justice to the poor and needy." [10] Who can find a worthy woman? For
her price is far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband trusts in her.
He shall 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
eagerly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchant ships. She brings
her bread from afar. [15] She rises also while it is yet night, Gives
food to her household, And their task to her servant girls. [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
doesn`t go out by night. [19] She lays her hands to the distaff, And her
hands hold the spindle. [20] She stretches out her hand to the poor;
Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. [21] She is not afraid of
the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with
scarlet. [22] She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is
fine linen and purple. [23] Her husband is respected in the gates, When
he sits among the elders of the land. [24] She makes linen garments and
sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant. [25] Strength and
dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. [26] She opens
her mouth with wisdom. The law of kindness is on her tongue. [27] She
looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn`t eat the bread of
idleness. [28] Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband
also praises her: [29] "Many women do noble things, But you excel them
all." [30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears
Yahweh, she shall be praised. [31] Give her of the fruit of her hands;
Let her works praise her in the gates.
