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[1]The words of king Lemuel; the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.
[2]What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O 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 to say: 'Where is strong drink?'
[5]Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
[6]Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;
[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]A woman of valour who can find? for her price is far above rubies.
[11]The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
[12]She doeth 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 merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
[15]She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food 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 maketh strong her arms.
[18]She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
[19]She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
[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 for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
[23]Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
[24]She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
[25]Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.
[26]She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
[27]She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
[28]Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her:
[29]'Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all.'
[30]Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman that feareth 𐤉𐤇𐤅𐤇, she shall be praised.
[31]Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.
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