[1] The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
[2] What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
[3] Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
[4] It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
[5] lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
[6] Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
[7] let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
[8] Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
[10] An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than 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 harm, all the days of her life.
[13] She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
[14] She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
[15] She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
[16] She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
[17] She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
[18] She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
[19] She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
[20] She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
[21] She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
[22] She makes bed 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; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
[25] Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
[26] She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
[27] She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
[28] Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
[29] “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”
[30] Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.