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[1]My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
[2]What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows?
[3]Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
[4]Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
[5]lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
[6]Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
[7]that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
[8]Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
[9]Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
[10]Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
[11]The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
[12]For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
[13]Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
[14]She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
[15]And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens.
[16]She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
[17]She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
[18]And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
[19]She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle.
[20]And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
[21]Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
[22]She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
[23]And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
[24]She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
[25]She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
[26]But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
[27]The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
[28]And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
[29]Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
[30]Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
[31]Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates.
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