The words{H1697} of king{H4428} Lemuel;{H3927} the oracle{H4853} which his mother{H517} taught{H3256} him.

What, my son?{H1248} and what, O son{H1248} of my womb?{H990} And what, O son{H1248} of my vows?{H5088}

Give{H5414} not thy strength{H2428} unto women,{H802} Nor thy ways{H1870} to that which destroyeth{H4229} kings.{H4428}

It is not for kings,{H4428} O Lemuel,{H3927} it is not for kings{H4428} to drink{H8354} wine;{H3196} Nor for{H335} princes{H7336} [to say], Where is strong drink?{H7941}

Lest they drink,{H8354} and forget{H7911} the law,{H2710} And pervert{H8138} the justice{H1779} [due] to any that is afflicted.{H1121}

Give{H5414} strong drink{H7941} unto him that is ready to perish,{H6} And wine{H3196} unto the bitter{H4751} in soul:{H5315}

Let him drink,{H8354} and forget{H7911} his poverty,{H7389} And remember{H2142} his misery{H5999} no more.

Open{H6605} thy mouth{H6310} for the dumb,{H483} In the cause{H1779} of all such as are left{H1121} desolate.{H2475}

Open{H6605} thy mouth,{H6310} judge{H8199} righteously,{H6664} And minister{H1777} justice to the poor{H6041} and needy.{H6041}

A worthy{H2428} woman{H802} who can find?{H4672} For her price{H4377} is far{H7350} above rubies.{H6443}

The heart{H3820} of her husband{H1167} trusteth{H982} in her, And he shall have no lack{H2637} of gain.{H7998}

She doeth{H1580} him good{H2896} and not evil{H7451} All the days{H3117} of her life.{H2416}

She seeketh{H1875} wool{H6785} and flax,{H6593} And worketh{H6213} willingly{H2656} with her hands.{H3709}

She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth{H935} her bread{H3899} from afar.{H4801}

She riseth{H6965} also while it is yet night,{H3915} And giveth{H5414} food{H2964} to her household,{H1004} And their task{H2706} to her maidens.{H5291}

She considereth{H2161} a field,{H7704} and buyeth{H3947} it; With the fruit{H6529} of her hands{H3709} she planteth{H5193} a vineyard.{H3754}

She girdeth{H2296} her loins{H4975} with strength,{H5797} And maketh strong{H5797} her arms.{H2220}

She perceiveth{H2938} that her merchandise{H5504} is profitable:{H2896} Her lamp{H5216} goeth not out{H3518} by night.{H3915}

She layeth{H7971} her hands{H3027} to the distaff,{H6418} And her hands{H3709} hold{H8551} the spindle.{H3601}

She stretcheth out{H6566} her hand{H3709} to the poor;{H6041} Yea, she reacheth forth{H7971} her hands{H3027} to the needy.{H34}

She is not afraid{H3372} of the snow{H7950} for her household;{H1004} For all her household{H1004} are clothed{H3847} with scarlet.{H8144}

She maketh{H6213} for herself carpets of tapestry;{H4765} Her clothing{H3830} is fine linen{H8336} and purple.{H713}

Her husband{H1167} is known{H3045} in the gates,{H8179} When he sitteth{H3427} among the elders{H2205} of the land.{H776}

She maketh{H6213} linen{H5466} garments and selleth{H4376} them, And delivereth{H5414} girdles{H2289} unto the merchant.{H3669}

Strength{H5797} and dignity{H1926} are her clothing;{H3830} And she laugheth{H7832} at the time{H3117} to come.{H314}

She openeth{H6605} her mouth{H6310} with wisdom;{H2451} And the law{H8451} of kindness{H2617} is on her tongue.{H3956}

She looketh well{H6822} to the ways{H1979} of her household,{H1004} And eateth{H398} not the bread{H3899} of idleness.{H6104}

Her children{H1121} rise up,{H6965} and call her blessed;{H833} Her husband{H1167} [also], and he praiseth{H1984} her, [saying]:

Many{H7227} daughters{H1323} have done{H6213} worthily,{H2428} But thou excellest{H5927} them all.

Grace{H2580} is deceitful,{H8267} and beauty{H3308} is vain;{H1892} [But] a woman{H802} that feareth{H3373} Jehovah,{H3068} she shall be praised.{H1984}

Give{H5414} her of the fruit{H6529} of her hands;{H3027} And let her works{H4639} praise{H1984} her in the gates.{H8179}