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 Karaliaus Lemuelio žodžiai, kuriais jį auklėjo motina:

2 "Ką, mano sūnau? Ką, mano įsčių sūnau? Ką, mano įžadų sūnau?

3 Neatiduok savo jėgų moterims ir savo kelių toms, kurios pražudo karalius.

4 Lemueli, ne karaliams gerti vyną, ne kunigaikščiams stiprius gėrimus,

5 kad prisigėrę jie nepamirštų įstatymo ir neiškraipytų teisingumo prispaustiesiems.

6 Duok stiprius gėrimus nelaimingiems ir vyną liūdinčioms sieloms.

7 Tegul jie pasigeria ir užmiršta savo vargus ir skurdą.

8 Atverk už nebylį savo burną byloje tų, kurie pasmerkti pražūčiai.

9 Teisk teisingai ir apgink beturčių ir vargšų teises.

10 Kas gali surasti gerą moterį? Ji yra daug vertingesnė už perlus.

11 Vyro širdis visiškai pasitiki ja ir jo namuose netrūks pelno.

12 Visą gyvenimą ji daro vyrui tik gera, o ne pikta.

13 Ji ieško vilnos ir lino, noriai dirba savo rankomis.

14 Ji lyg prekybininkų laivas parūpina maistą iš toli.

15 Ji keliasi anksti rytą, paruošia maisto šeimai ir paskiria tarnaitėms darbą.

16 Ji apžiūri lauką, jį nuperka ir savo rankų pelnu užveisia vynuogyną.

17 Ji susijuosia jėga, sustiprina savo rankas.

18 Ji supranta, kad jos darbas vertingas; jos žiburys negęsta naktį.

19 Jos pirštai paima verpstę ir jos rankos dirba.

20 Ji ištiesia ranką išalkusiam ir beturčiui.

21 Ji nebijo šalčių, nes visi jos namiškiai yra aprengti vilnoniais rūbais.

22 Ji pasidaro antklodžių, plona drobė ir purpuras­jos drabužiai.

23 Jos vyras yra žinomas vartuose, kai sėdi su krašto vyresniaisiais.

24 Ji audžia plonų drobių ir parduoda, pristato juostų pirkliams.

25 Ji, apsirengusi stiprybe ir grožiu, linksmai žiūri į ateitį.

26 Ji kalba išmintingai ir ant jos liežuvio švelnus pamokymas.

27 Ji prižiūri savo namus ir nevalgo tinginio duonos.

28 Jos vaikai pakyla ir vadina ją palaiminta ir jos vyras giria ją:

29 ‘Yra daug gerų moterų, bet tu pranoksti jas visas!’

30 Žavumas apgauna ir grožis praeina, bet moteris, bijanti Dievo, bus giriama.

31 Duok jai jos rankų vaisių, ir jos darbai tegul giria ją vartuose".