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[1]THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying,
[2]Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!
[3]Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to the extravagance of kings.
[4]Of kings, O Moael, be careful of kings who drink wine; and of princes who drink strong drink,
[5]Lest you drink and forget the law and forsake the judgment of the afflicted.
[6]Let strong drink be given to those who mourn, and wine to those who are of heavy heart,
[7]That they may drink, and forget their sorrows, and remember their miseries no more.
[8]Open your mouth with words of truth, and judge all the sons of the wicked.
[9]Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy
[10]Who can find a diligent woman? For her price is far above rubies.
[11]The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and her food supplies never diminish.
[12]She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
[13]She seeks wool and linen, and works willingly with her hands.
[14]She is like the merchant's ship, she brings her merchandise from afar.
[15]She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids.
[16]She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
[17]She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
[18]She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out all night.
[19]She stretches out her arms diligently, and puts her hands to the spindle.
[20]She stretches out her hands to the poor; yea, she stretches forth her arms to the needy.
[21]The members of her household are not afraid of snow; for all of them are clothed with scarlet.
[22]She makes herself a covering of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
[23]Her husband is known in cities, when he sits among the elders of the land.
[24]She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles 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 upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
[27]The ways of her household are above reproach, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
[28]Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband also praises her.
[29]Many daughters have become rich, but you have excelled them all.
[30]Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who reverences the LORD shall be praised.
[31]Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gate.
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