1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women or your ways to those who destroy kings.
Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to crave strong drink.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
5 Lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are bitter of heart.
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and no longer remember their hardship.
Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She senses that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She lays her hands to the distaff, and her fingers grasp the spindle.
She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gates, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies sashes to the merchants.
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs at the days to come.
Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and instruction of kindness is on her tongue.
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her.
Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.
Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gates.
Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.