[1] The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught 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 strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys 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] For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
[6] Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
[7] Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
[8] Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
[9] Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
[10] An excellent wife, who can find? 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 flax And works with her hands in delight.
[14] She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
[15] She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
[16] She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
[17] She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
[18] She senses that her gain 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 looks well to the ways 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.