¶ The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy¹ that his² mother taught him.

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb³? and what, the son of my vows⁴?

Give not thy strength⁵ unto women, nor thy ways to that⁶ which destroyeth kings.

⁷It 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 pervert⁸ the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Give strong⁹ drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts¹⁰.

¹¹Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Open¹² thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such¹³ as are appointed to destruction.

¹⁴Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

¶ Who¹⁵ can¹⁶ find a virtuous woman? for her¹⁷ price is far above rubies.

¹⁸The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

¹⁹She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh²⁰ willingly with her hands.

²¹She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

She riseth²² also while it is yet night, and giveth²³ meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

She considereth²⁴ a field, and buyeth²⁵ it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

She girdeth²⁶ her loins with strength, and strengtheneth²⁷ her arms.

She perceiveth²⁸ 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.

³⁸Her 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.

⁴³She 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.