1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth 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 maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

1 Die woorde van L,muël, die koning van Massa, waarmee sy moeder hom vermaan het:

2 Wat, my seun, ja wat, seun van my skoot, ja wat, seun van my geloftes, sal ek sê?

3 Gee jou krag nie aan vroue of jou omgang aan die wat konings uitroei nie.

4 Die konings, o L,muël, die konings moet nie wyn drink nie, en die vorste moet nie sterk drank begeer nie;

5 anders drink hy en vergeet die insettinge en verdraai die reg van al die ellendiges.

6 Gee sterk drank aan hom wat wil ondergaan, en wyn aan die wat bitter bedroef is.

7 Laat hy drink en sy armoede vergeet en aan sy moeite nie meer dink nie.

8 Maak jou mond oop vir die stomme, vir die regsaak van almal wat wegkwyn.

9 Maak jou mond oop, oordeel regverdig, en verskaf reg aan die ellendige en die behoeftige.

10 Alef. Wie sal 'n deugsame vrou vind? want haar waarde is ver bo korale.

11 Bet. Die hart van haar man vertrou op haar, en aan wins sal dit hom nie ontbreek nie.

12 Gimel. Sy doen aan hom goed, en nie kwaad nie, al die dae van haar lewe.

13 Dalet. Sy sorg vir wol en vlas, en sy werk met gewillige hande.

14 He. Sy is soos die skepe van 'n handelaar -- van ver af bring sy haar brood in.

15 Wau. En sy staan op as dit nog nag is en gee voedsel aan haar huisgesin en die bestemde deel aan haar diensmeisies.

16 Sajin. Sy dink na oor 'n stuk grond en koop dit, van die vrug van haar hande plant sy 'n wingerd.

17 Get. Sy omgord haar lendene met krag en hou haar arms stewig.

18 Tet. Sy voel dat haar wins goed is, in die nag gaan haar lamp nie dood nie.

19 Jod. Sy steek haar hande uit na die spinstok, en haar handpalms hou die spoel vas.

20 Kaf. Sy brei haar handpalm uit na die ellendige, en sy steek haar hande uit na die behoeftige.

21 Lamed. Sy is nie bevrees vir haar huisgesin vanweë die sneeu nie, want haar hele huisgesin dra skarlaken stof.

22 Mem. Sy maak vir haarself dekens, haar tabberd is van fyn linne en purper.

23 Noen. Haar man is bekend in die poorte as hy saam met die oudstes van die land sit.

24 Samek. Sy maak hemde en verkoop dit, en gordels lewer sy aan die handelaars.

25 Ajin. Sterkte en eer is haar kleed, en sy lag oor die dag wat kom.

26 Pe. Haar mond maak sy oop met wysheid, en vriendelike onderrigting is op haar tong.

27 Sade. Opmerksaam gaan sy die werksaamhede van haar huis na, en die brood van luiheid eet sy nie.

28 Kof. Haar seuns tree op en noem haar gelukkig, haar man ook, en hy prys haar:

29 Resj. Baie dogters het hulle knap gedra, maar jy oortref hulle almal.

30 Sjin. Die bevalligheid is bedrog, en die skoonheid is nietigheid; 'n vrou wat die HERE vrees, sy moet geprys word.

31 Tau. Gee haar van die vrug van haar hande, en laat haar werke haar prys in die poorte.