1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to drink strong drink.
5If they drink, they may forget the law, and take away the rights of any who are suffering.
6Give strong drink to the one who is ready to die, and wine to those with heavy hearts.
7Let him drink, and forget how poor he is, and remember his misery no more.
8Open your mouth for those who cannot speak, in the cause of all who are marked out to die.
9Open your mouth and judge with righteousness. Plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10Who can find a good and able woman? She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband's heart trusts in her safely, so he will have no need of plunder.
12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax, and works gladly with her hands.
14She is like the merchants' ships. She brings her food from far away.
15She also gets up while it is still night. She gives food to her household, and a portion to her servant girls.
16She thinks about a field, and buys it. With what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
17She wraps her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18She sees that her trading is good. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19She puts her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20She stretches out her hand to the poor. Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22She makes coverings of tapestry for herself. Her clothing is silk and purple.
23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
24She makes fine linen and sells it. She supplies belts to the merchant.
25Strength and honour are her clothing. She will rejoice in the time to come.
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
27She watches well over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her.
29"Many daughters have done well, but you are better than them all."
30Charm is deceitful, and beauty does not last, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.
31Give her what her hands have earned, and let her own works praise her in the gates.