✧1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. ✧2What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? ✧3Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. ✧4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink? ✧5Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted. ✧6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul: ✧7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. ✧8Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate. ✧
American Standard Version (ASV). American Standard Version (1901). Public domain.
9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
✧10A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
✧11The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
✧12She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
✧13She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
✧14She is like the merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
✧15She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
✧16She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
✧17She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
✧18She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
✧19She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
✧20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
✧21She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
✧22She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
✧23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
✧24She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
✧25Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
✧26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
✧27She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
✧28Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
✧29Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
✧30Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
✧31Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.