• The Words of Lemuel

  • 1 The words of King Lemuel, the pronouncement which his mother taught him:
  • 2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
  • 3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
  • 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink,
  • 5 Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the needy.
  • 6 Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter.
  • 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.
  • 8 Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
  • 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy.

  • Description of a Worthy Woman

  • 10 An excellent wife, who can find her? For her worth is far above jewels.
  • 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
  • 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
  • 13 She looks for wool and linen, And works with her hands in delight.
  • 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
  • 15 And she rises while it is still night And gives food to her household, And portions to her attendants.
  • 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
  • 17 She surrounds her waist with strength And makes her arms strong.
  • 18 She senses that her profit is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
  • 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
  • 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
  • 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
  • 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
  • 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
  • 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
  • 27 She watches over the activities of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
  • 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
  • 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
  • 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
  • 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.