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 Do not 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 decree,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."ALEPH10 Who can find a worthy woman?For her price is far above rubies.BET11 The heart of her husband trusts in her.He shall have no lack of gain.GIMEL12 She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life.DALET13 She seeks wool and flax,and works eagerly with her hands.HEY14 She is like the merchant ships.She brings her bread from afar.VAV15 She rises also while it is yet night,gives food to her household,and portions for her servant girls.ZAYIN16 She considers a field, and buys it.With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.HET17 She girds her waist with strength,and makes her arms strong.TET18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp doesn't go out by night.YOD19 She lays her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.KAPH20 She opens her arms to the poor;yes, she extends her hands to the needy.LAMED21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;for all her household are clothed with scarlet.MEM22 She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.Her clothing is fine linen and purple.NUN23 Her husband is respected in the gates,when he sits among the elders of the land.SAMEKH24 She makes linen garments and sells them,and delivers sashes to the merchant.AYIN25 Strength and dignity are her clothing.She laughs at the time to come.PEY26 She opens her mouth with wisdom.Faithful instruction is on her tongue.TZADE27 She looks well to the ways of her household,and doesn't eat the bread of idleness.QOPH28 Her children rise up and call her blessed.Her husband also praises her:RESH29 "Many women do noble things,but you excel them all."SHIN30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;but a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.TAV31 Give her of the fruit of her hands!Let her works praise her in the gates!