| 1 | The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. |
| 2 | What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the 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 strong drink: |
| 5 | Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. |
| 6 | Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. |
| 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 | Who can find a virtuous 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. |
| 12 | She will do 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 merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. |
| 15 | She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat 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 strengtheneth her arms. |
| 18 | She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. |
| 19 | She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. |
| 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 herself coverings 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. |
| 24 | She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
| 25 | Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
| 26 | She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. |
| 27 | She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
| 28 | Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. |
| 29 | Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. |
| 30 | Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. |
| 31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
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