The words of King
Lemuel
, the 1oracle
which
his mother
taught
him:
What, O my son
? And what
, O ason
of my womb
? And what
, O son
of my bvows
?
aDo not give your strength
to women
, Or your ways
to that which bdestroys
kings
.
It is not for akings, O Lemuel
, It is not for kings
to bdrink
wine
, Or for rulers
to desire
strong
drink
,
For they will drink and forget
what is decreed
, And apervert
the 1rights
of all
the 2afflicted
.
Give strong
drink
to him who is aperishing
, And wine
to him 1 bwhose life
is bitter
.
Let him drink and forget
his poverty
And remember
his trouble
no
more
.
aOpen your mouth
for the mute
, For the 1rights
of all
the 2unfortunate
.
Open your mouth
, ajudge
righteously
, And 1defend
the brights
of the afflicted
and needy
.
An aexcellent wife
, who
can find
? For her worth
is far
babove
jewels
.
The heart of her husband
trusts
in her, And he will have
no
lack
of gain
.
She does him good
and not evil
All
the days
of her life
.
She looks for wool
and flax
And works
with her 1hands
2in delight
.
She is like amerchant ships
; She brings
her food
from afar
.
She arises also while it is still
night
And bgives
food
to her household
And 1portions
to her maidens
.
She considers a field
and buys
it; From 1her earnings
she plants
a vineyard
.
She agirds 1herself
with strength
And makes
her arms
strong
.
She senses that her gain
is good
; Her lamp
does not go
out at night
.
She stretches out her hands
to the distaff
, And her 1hands
grasp
the spindle
.
She 1 aextends her hand
to the poor
, And she stretches
out her hands
to the needy
.
She is not afraid of the snow
for her household
, For all
her household
are aclothed
with scarlet
.
She makes acoverings
for herself; Her clothing
is bfine
linen
and cpurple
.
Her husband is known
ain the gates
, When he sits
among
the elders
of the land
.
She makes alinen
garments
and sells
them, And 1supplies
belts
to the 2tradesmen
.
Strength and adignity
are her clothing
, And she smiles
at the 1future
.
She aopens her mouth
in wisdom
, And the 1teaching
of kindness
is on her tongue
.
She looks well
to the ways
of her household
, And does not eat
the abread
of idleness
.
Her children rise
up and bless
her; Her husband
also, and he praises
her, saying:
"Many daughters
have done
nobly
, But you excel
them all
."
Charm is deceitful
and beauty
is vain
, But a woman
who 1 afears
the LORD
, she shall be praised
.
Give her the 1product
of her hands
, And let her works
praise
her in the gates
.