✧The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. ✧2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? ✧3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. ✧4[It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: ✧5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. ✧6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. ✧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 appointed to destruction. ✧9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. ✧10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies. ✧11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. ✧12She will do 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 merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar. ✧15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion 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 strengtheneth her arms. ✧18She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night. ✧19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. ✧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 herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple. ✧23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. ✧24She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it;] and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. ✧25Strength and honour [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. ✧26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue [is] the law of kindness. ✧27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. ✧28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her. ✧29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. ✧30Favour [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. ✧31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.