1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him. 2What, my son? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. 4[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes [to lust] for strong drink; 5lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all the sons [of those] passing away. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. 10Who can find a woman of virtue? For her value [is] far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no need of plunder. 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. 13She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly [with] her hands. 14She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar. 15She also rises while [it is] still night, and gives food to her household, and a share to her young women. 16She considers a field, and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She binds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18She sees that her merchandise [is] good; her lamp does not go out by night. 19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. 20She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household [are] clothed [with] scarlet. 22She makes herself coverings; her clothing [is] silk and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes fine linen and sells [it], and delivers girdles to the merchants. 25Strength and honor [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. 27She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her sons rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praises her. 29Many daughters have done well, but you excel them all. 30Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain, [but] a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.