The words{H1697} of king{H4428} Lemuel{H3927}, the prophecy{H4853} that his mother{H517} taught{H3256}{(H8765)} him.

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

Give{H5414}{(H8799)} not thy strength{H2428} unto women{H802}, nor thy ways{H1870} to that which destroyeth{H4229}{(H8687)} kings{H4428}.

It is not for kings{H4428}, O Lemuel{H3927}, it is not for kings{H4428} to drink{H8354}{(H8800)} wine{H3196}; nor for{H335}{(H8675)}{H176} princes{H7336}{(H8802)} strong drink{H7941}:

Lest they drink{H8354}{(H8799)}, and forget{H7911}{(H8799)} the law{H2710}{(H8794)}, and pervert{H8138}{(H8762)} the judgment{H1779} of any of the afflicted{H1121}{H6040}.

Give{H5414}{(H8798)} strong drink{H7941} unto him that is ready to perish{H6}{(H8802)}, and wine{H3196} unto those that be of heavy{H4751} hearts{H5315}.

Let him drink{H8354}{(H8799)}, and forget{H7911}{(H8799)} his poverty{H7389}, and remember{H2142}{(H8799)} his misery{H5999} no more.

Open{H6605}{(H8798)} thy mouth{H6310} for the dumb{H483} in the cause{H1779} of all such as are appointed{H1121} to destruction{H2475}.

Open{H6605}{(H8798)} thy mouth{H6310}, judge{H8199}{(H8798)} righteously{H6664}, and plead{H1777}{(H8798)} the cause of the poor{H6041} and needy{H34}.

Who can find{H4672}{(H8799)} a virtuous{H2428} woman{H802}? for her price{H4377} is far{H7350} above rubies{H6443}.

The heart{H3820} of her husband{H1167} doth safely trust{H982}{(H8804)} in her, so that he shall have no need{H2637}{(H8799)} of spoil{H7998}.

She will do{H1580}{(H8804)} him good{H2896} and not evil{H7451} all the days{H3117} of her life{H2416}.

She seeketh{H1875}{(H8804)} wool{H6785}, and flax{H6593}, and worketh{H6213}{(H8799)} willingly{H2656} with her hands{H3709}.

She is like the merchants{H5503}{(H8802)}' ships{H591}; she bringeth{H935}{(H8686)} her food{H3899} from afar{H4801}.

She riseth{H6965}{(H8799)} also while it is yet night{H3915}, and giveth{H5414}{(H8799)} meat{H2964} to her household{H1004}, and a portion{H2706} to her maidens{H5291}.

She considereth{H2161}{(H8804)} a field{H7704}, and buyeth{H3947}{(H8799)} it: with the fruit{H6529} of her hands{H3709} she planteth{H5193}{(H8804)} a vineyard{H3754}.

She girdeth{H2296}{(H8804)} her loins{H4975} with strength{H5797}, and strengtheneth{H553}{(H8762)} her arms{H2220}.

She perceiveth{H2938}{(H8804)} that her merchandise{H5504} is good{H2896}: her candle{H5216} goeth not out{H3518}{(H8799)} by night{H3915}.

She layeth{H7971}{(H8765)} her hands{H3027} to the spindle{H3601}, and her hands{H3709} hold{H8551}{(H8804)} the distaff{H6418}.

She stretcheth out{H6566}{(H8804)} her hand{H3709} to the poor{H6041}; yea, she reacheth forth{H7971}{(H8765)} her hands{H3027} to the needy{H34}.

She is not afraid{H3372}{(H8799)} of the snow{H7950} for her household{H1004}: for all her household{H1004} are clothed{H3847}{(H8803)} with scarlet{H8144}.

She maketh{H6213}{(H8804)} herself coverings of tapestry{H4765}; her clothing{H3830} is silk{H8336} and purple{H713}.

Her husband{H1167} is known{H3045}{(H8737)} in the gates{H8179}, when he sitteth{H3427}{(H8800)} among the elders{H2205} of the land{H776}.

She maketh{H6213}{(H8804)} fine linen{H5466}, and selleth{H4376}{(H8799)} it; and delivereth{H5414}{(H8804)} girdles{H2289} unto the merchant{H3669}.

Strength{H5797} and honour{H1926} are her clothing{H3830}; and she shall rejoice{H7832}{(H8799)} in time{H3117} to come{H314}.

She openeth{H6605}{(H8804)} her mouth{H6310} with wisdom{H2451}; and in her tongue{H3956} is the law{H8451} of kindness{H2617}.

She looketh well{H6822}{(H8802)} to the ways{H1979}{(H8675)}{H1979} of her household{H1004}, and eateth{H398}{(H8799)} not the bread{H3899} of idleness{H6104}.

Her children{H1121} arise up{H6965}{(H8804)}, and call her blessed{H833}{(H8762)}; her husband{H1167} also, and he praiseth{H1984}{(H8762)} her.

Many{H7227} daughters{H1323} have done{H6213}{(H8804)} virtuously{H2428}, but thou excellest{H5927}{(H8804)} them all.

Favour{H2580} is deceitful{H8267}, and beauty{H3308} is vain{H1892}: but a woman{H802} that feareth{H3373} the LORD{H3068}, she shall be praised{H1984}{(H8691)}.

Give{H5414}{(H8798)} her of the fruit{H6529} of her hands{H3027}; and let her own works{H4639} praise{H1984}{(H8762)} her in the gates{H8179}.