• A Mother’s Oracle

  • 1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
  • 2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
  • 3 Do not give your excellence to women, Or your ways to that which blots out kings.
  • 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
  • 5 Lest he drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
  • 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those whose soul is bitter.
  • 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And he will not remember his trouble any longer.
  • 8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away.
  • 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy.

  • Aleph

  • 10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.

  • Beth

  • 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

  • Gimel

  • 12 She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.

  • Daleth

  • 13 She searches for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

  • He

  • 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

  • Vav

  • 15 And she rises while it is still night, And gives food to her household And a portion to her young women.

  • Zayin

  • 16 She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

  • Heth

  • 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

  • Teth

  • 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

  • Yodh

  • 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold fast the spindle.

  • Kaph

  • 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

  • Lamedh

  • 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

  • Mem

  • 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

  • Nun

  • 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits with the elders of the land.

  • Samekh

  • 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And gives belts to the tradesmen.

  • Ayin

  • 25 Strength and majesty are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

  • Pe

  • 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.

  • Tsadhe

  • 27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

  • Qoph

  • 28 Her children rise up and bless her; As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:

  • Resh

  • 29 “Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all.”

  • Shin

  • 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

  • Tav

  • 31 Give to her from the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.