1 The words of King Lemuel, the burden which his mother taught him:

2 What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the 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, 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 to him who is about to die, and wine to one who is of a heavy soul.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the judgment of all those sentenced to destruction.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the case of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a woman of strength? For her value is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.

15 She also rises while it is still night, and prepares food for her household, and portions for her maidservants.

16 She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong.

18 She tastes that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.

19 She reaches her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle.

20 She extends her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches out 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 makes tapestry for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers clothing to the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29 Many daughters have dealt with strength, but you have excelled them all.

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.