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| [1]The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. |
[1]THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying, |
| [2]What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? |
[2]Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows! |
| [3]Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. |
[3]Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to the extravagance of kings. |
| [4]It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: |
[4]Of kings, O Moael, be careful of kings who drink wine; and of princes who drink strong drink, |
| [5]Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. |
[5]Lest you drink and forget the law and forsake the judgment of the afflicted. |
| [6]Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts. |
[6]Let strong drink be given to those who mourn, and wine to those who are of heavy heart, |
| [7]Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
[7]That they may drink, and forget their sorrows, and remember their miseries no more. |
| [8]Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. |
[8]Open your mouth with words of truth, and judge all the sons of the wicked. |
| [9]Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
[9]Open your 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. |
[10]Who can find a diligent 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. |
[11]The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and her food supplies never diminish. |
| [12]She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
[12]She does him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| [13]She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. |
[13]She seeks wool and linen, and works willingly with her hands. |
| [14]She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar. |
[14]She is like the merchant's ship, she brings her merchandise from afar. |
| [15]She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens. |
[15]She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids. |
| [16]She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
[16]She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. |
| [17]She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. |
[17]She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms. |
| [18]She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. |
[18]She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out all night. |
| [19]She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. |
[19]She stretches out her arms diligently, and puts her hands to the spindle. |
| [20]She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
[20]She stretches out her hands to the poor; yea, she stretches forth her arms to the needy. |
| [21]She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
[21]The members of her household are not afraid of snow; for all of them are clothed with scarlet. |
| [22]She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. |
[22]She makes herself a covering 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. |
[23]Her husband is known in cities, when he sits among the elders of the land. |
| [24]She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles to the merchant. |
[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. |
[25]Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
| [26]She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue is the law of kindness. |
[26]She opens her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. |
| [27]She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
[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; her husband also, and he praiseth her. |
[28]Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband also praises her. |
| [29]Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. |
[29]Many daughters have become rich, but you have excelled them all. |
| [30]Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. |
[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 gates. |
[31]Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gate. |