The words of king
Lemuel
, the prophecy
that his mother
taught
him.
What, my son? and what, the son
of my womb
? and what, the son
of my vows
?
Give not thy strength
unto women
, nor thy ways
to that which destroyeth
kings
.
It is not for kings, O Lemuel
, it is not for kings
to drink
wine
; nor for
princes
strong drink
:
Lest they drink, and forget
the law
, and pervert
the judgment
of any of the afflicted
.
Give strong drink
unto him that is ready to perish
, and wine
unto those that be of heavy
hearts
.
Let him drink, and forget
his poverty
, and remember
his misery
no more.
Open thy mouth
for the dumb
in the cause
of all such as are appointed
to destruction
.
Open thy mouth
, judge
righteously
, and plead
the cause of the poor
and needy
.
Who can find a virtuous
woman
? for her price
is far
above rubies
.
The heart of her husband
doth safely trust
in her, so that he shall have no need
of spoil
.
She will do him good
and not evil
all the days
of her life
.
She seeketh wool
, and flax
, and worketh
willingly
with her hands
.
She is like the merchants' ships
; she bringeth
her food
from afar
.
She riseth also while it is yet night
, and giveth
meat
to her household
, and a portion
to her maidens
.
She considereth a field
, and buyeth
it: with the fruit
of her hands
she planteth
a vineyard
.
She girdeth her loins
with strength
, and strengtheneth
her arms
.
She perceiveth that her merchandise
is good
: her candle
goeth not out
by night
.
She layeth her hands
to the spindle
, and her hands
hold
the distaff
.
She stretcheth out her hand
to the poor
; yea, she reacheth forth
her hands
to the needy
.
She is not afraid of the snow
for her household
: for all her household
are clothed
with scarlet
.
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry
; her clothing
is silk
and purple
.
Her husband is known
in the gates
, when he sitteth
among the elders
of the land
.
She maketh fine linen
, and selleth
it ; and delivereth
girdles
unto the merchant
.
Strength and honour
are her clothing
; and she shall rejoice
in time
to come
.
She openeth her mouth
with wisdom
; and in her tongue
is the law
of kindness
.
She looketh well to the ways
of her household
, and eateth
not the bread
of idleness
.
Her children arise up
, and call her blessed
; her husband
also , and he praiseth
her.
Many daughters
have done
virtuously
, but thou excellest
them all.
Favour is deceitful
, and beauty
is vain
: but a woman
that feareth
the LORD
, she shall be praised
.
Give her of the fruit
of her hands
; and let her own works
praise
her in the gates
.