| 1 ¶ The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
|
|
| 2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
|
|
| 3 Give 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:
|
|
| 5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert1 the judgment of any2 of the afflicted.
|
|
| 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of3 heavy hearts.
|
|
| 7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
|
|
| 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such4 as are appointed to destruction.
|
|
| 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
|
|
| 10 ¶ Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
|
|
| 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
|
|
| 12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
|
|
| 13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
|
|
| 14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
|
|
| 15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
|
|
| 16 She considereth a field, and buyeth5 it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
|
|
| 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
|
|
| 18 She6 perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
|
|
| 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
|
|
| 20 She7 stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
|
|
| 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.8
|
|
| 22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
|
|
| 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
|
|
| 24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
|
|
| 25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
|
|
| 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
|
|
| 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
|
|
| 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
|
|
| 29 Many daughters have9 done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
|
|
| 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
|
|
| 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
|
|