1The words of King Lemuel, the burden 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. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes 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 about to die, and wine to one who is of a heavy soul. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the judgment of all those sentenced to destruction. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the case of the poor and needy. 10Who can find a woman of strength? For her value is far above rubies. 11The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain. 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 merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. 15She also rises while it is still night, and prepares food for her household, and portions for her maidservants. 16She considers a field and buys it; from the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. 17She girds her loins with strength, and makes her arms strong. 18She tastes that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night. 19She reaches her hands to the distaff, and her hand holds the spindle. 20She extends her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches out 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 tapestry for herself; 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 fine linen and sells it, and delivers clothing to the merchants. 25Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness. 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: 29Many daughters have dealt with strength, but you have excelled them all. 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.