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.
1 利慕伊勒王的话， 是 神的默示， 是他母亲教训他的：
2 "我儿， 我腹中生的儿啊！ 我许愿所得的儿啊， 我要对你说什么呢？
3 不要把你的精力给妇女， 也不要有败坏君王的行为。
4 利慕伊勒啊！ 君王不可喝酒； 君王千万不可喝酒； 掌权的不可贪饮烈酒。
5 恐怕喝了酒， 就忘记律例， 把困苦人的一切案件都颠倒了。
6 要把烈酒给将要灭亡的人喝； 把酒给心里愁苦的人喝；
7 让他喝了， 就忘记自己的贫穷， 也不再记念自己的烦恼。
8 你要为不能自辩的人开口说话， 为所有贫苦的人伸冤。
9 你要开口说话， 秉公审判， 为困苦和穷乏的人伸冤。"
10 有才德的妇人， 谁能得着呢？她的价值远胜过红宝石。
11 她丈夫心里倚靠她， 就不会缺少收入。
12 她一生的年日， 只带给丈夫益处， 没有害处。
13 她搜求羊毛和细麻， 乐意亲手作工。
14 她好像一队商船， 从远方运来食物。
15 天还未亮， 她就起来， 把食物分给家人， 把当作的工分派众婢女。
16 她选择了一块田， 就把它买下来， 用自己双手赚得的收入栽种葡萄园。
17 她以能力束腰， 使自己的膀臂有力。
18 她知道自己的经营获利， 她的灯终夜不灭。
19 她伸手拿着卷线竿， 手掌握着纺锤。
20 她张手赒济困苦人， 伸手帮助穷乏人。
21 她不因下雪为自己的家人担心， 因为她全家都穿着温暖的朱红色衣服。
22 她为自己做床毯， 她的衣服是细麻和紫色布料做的。
23 她丈夫与本地的长老在城门口同坐， 是众人都认识的。
24 她做细麻布衣服出售， 又供应腰带给商人。
25 她以能力和威仪为衣服， 想到日后的幸福就欢笑。
26 她开口就说出智慧的话； 她的舌头上充满慈爱的训诲。
27 她监管一切家务， 从不白吃闲饭。
28 她的儿女都起来称她是有福的， 她的丈夫也称赞她， 说：
29 "有才德的女子很多， 但你比她们更超卓。"
30 艳丽是虚假的， 美容是虚浮的； 唯有敬畏耶和华的妇女， 必得称赞。
31 愿她享受自己手所作的成果； 愿她的工作在城门口使她受称赞。