1The words1697 of king4428 Lemuel3927, the prophecy4853 that his mother517 taught3256 him.
2What, my son1248? and what, the son1248 of my womb990? and what, the son1248 of my vows5088?
3Give5414 not thy strength2428 unto women802, nor thy ways1870 to that which destroyeth4229 kings4428.
4It is not for kings4428, O Lemuel3927, it is not for kings4428 to drink8354 wine3196; nor for335 176 princes7336 strong drink7941:
5Lest they drink8354, and forget7911 the law2710, and pervert8138 the judgment1779 of any of the afflicted1121 6040.
6Give5414 strong drink7941 unto him that is ready to perish6, and wine3196 unto those that be of heavy4751 hearts5315.
7Let him drink8354, and forget7911 his poverty7389, and remember2142 his misery5999 no more.
8Open6605 thy mouth6310 for the dumb483 in the cause1779 of all such as are appointed1121 to destruction2475.
9Open6605 thy mouth6310, judge8199 righteously6664, and plead1777 the cause of the poor6041 and needy34.
10Who can find4672 a virtuous2428 woman802? for her price4377 is far7350 above rubies6443.
11The heart3820 of her husband1167 doth safely trust982 in her, so that he shall have no need2637 of spoil7998.
12She will do1580 him good2896 and not evil7451 all the days3117 of her life2416.
13She seeketh1875 wool6785, and flax6593, and worketh6213 willingly2656 with her hands3709.
14She is like the merchants'5503 ships591; she bringeth935 her food3899 from afar4801.
15She riseth6965 also while it is yet night3915, and giveth5414 meat2964 to her household1004, and a portion2706 to her maidens5291.
16She considereth2161 a field7704, and buyeth3947 it: with the fruit6529 of her hands3709 she planteth5193 a vineyard3754.
17She girdeth2296 her loins4975 with strength5797, and strengtheneth553 her arms2220.
18She perceiveth2938 that her merchandise5504 is good2896: her candle5216 goeth not out3518 by night3915.
19She layeth7971 her hands3027 to the spindle3601, and her hands3709 hold8551 the distaff6418.
20She stretcheth out6566 her hand3709 to the poor6041; yea, she reacheth forth7971 her hands3027 to the needy34.
21She is not afraid3372 of the snow7950 for her household1004: for all her household1004 are clothed3847 with scarlet8144.
22She maketh6213 herself coverings of tapestry4765; her clothing3830 is silk8336 and purple713.
23Her husband1167 is known3045 in the gates8179, when he sitteth3427 among the elders2205 of the land776.
24She maketh6213 fine linen5466, and selleth4376 it; and delivereth5414 girdles2289 unto the merchant3669.
25Strength5797 and honour1926 are her clothing3830; and she shall rejoice7832 in time3117 to come314.
26She openeth6605 her mouth6310 with wisdom2451; and in her tongue3956 is the law8451 of kindness2617.
27She looketh well6822 to the ways1979 1979 of her household1004, and eateth398 not the bread3899 of idleness6104.
28Her children1121 arise up6965, and call her blessed833; her husband1167 also, and he praiseth1984 her.
29Many7227 daughters1323 have done6213 virtuously2428, but thou excellest5927 them all.
30Favour2580 is deceitful8267, and beauty3308 is vain1892: but a woman802 that feareth3373 the LORD3068, she shall be praised1984.
31Give5414 her of the fruit6529 of her hands3027; and let her own works4639 praise1984 her in the gates8179.