1The words of King Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. 2What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? 3Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to [those women who] destroy kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to desire strong drink. 5Or else they will drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any who is afflicted. 6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to the bitter in soul: 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all such as are left desolate. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And give justice to the poor and needy. 10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. 12She does 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 merchant-ships; She brings her bread from far. 15She rises also while it is yet night, And gives food to her household, And their task to her maidens. 16She considers a field, and buys it; With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong. 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp does not go out by night. 19She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle. 20She stretches out her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy. 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household has double clothes. 22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. 23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers belts to the merchant. 25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laughs at the time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue. 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, [saying]: 29Many daughters have done worthily, But you excel them all. 30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.