Study

The Teaching of King Lemuel’s Mother

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The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

 

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No, my son! No, son of my womb!

No, son of my vows!

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Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

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It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to desire strong drink;

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or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,

and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

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Give strong drink to one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

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let them drink and forget their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

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Speak out for those who cannot speak,

for the rights of all the destitute.

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Speak out, judge righteously,

defend the rights of the poor and needy.

 

Ode to a Capable Wife

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A capable wife who can find?

She is far more precious than jewels.

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The heart of her husband trusts in her,

and he will have no lack of gain.

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She does him good, and not harm,

all the days of her life.

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She seeks wool and flax,

and works with willing hands.

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She is like the ships of the merchant,

she brings her food from far away.

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She rises while it is still night

and provides food for her household

and tasks for her servant-girls.

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She considers a field and buys it;

with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

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She girds herself with strength,

and makes her arms strong.

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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.

Her lamp does not go out at night.

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She puts her hands to the distaff,

and her hands hold the spindle.

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She opens her hand to the poor,

and reaches out her hands to the needy.

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She is not afraid for her household when it snows,

for all her household are clothed in crimson.

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She makes herself coverings;

her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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Her husband is known in the city gates,

taking his seat among the elders of the land.

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She makes linen garments and sells them;

she supplies the merchant with sashes.

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Strength and dignity are her clothing,

and she laughs at the time to come.

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She opens her mouth with wisdom,

and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

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She looks well to the ways of her household,

and does not eat the bread of idleness.

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Her children rise up and call her happy;

her husband too, and he praises her:

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“Many women have done excellently,

but you surpass them all.”

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Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,

but a woman who fears the L ord is to be praised.

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Give her a share in the fruit of her hands,

and let her works praise her in the city gates.