1 The words of Lemuel, a king, the oracle his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3 Do not spend your strength on women, or your ways on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to ask, "Where is strong drink?"
5 or they will drink and forget what is decreed and twist the rights of all the oppressed.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those whose soul is bitter;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of all who are passing away.
9 Speak up, judge with righteousness, and uphold the cause of the poor and needy.
10 A wife of strength, who can find her? Her value is far beyond pearls.
11 Her husband's heart trusts in her, and he will not lack for gain.
12 She brings him good and not harm every day of her life.
13 She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the trader; she brings her food from far away.
15 She gets up while it is still night and gives food to her household and a share to her maidservants.
16 She weighs up a field and acquires it; from what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard.
17 She wraps her waist in strength and makes her arms vigorous.
18 She sees that her trading goes well; her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She sets her hands to the distaff, and her palms grasp the spindle.
20 She holds out her palm to the poor and stretches out her hands to the needy.
21 She has no fear of the snow for her household, for her whole household is dressed in scarlet.
22 She makes herself quilted coverings; her clothes are fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is well known at the gates, where he takes his seat with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies belts to the merchant.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She keeps an eye on the doings of her household and does not eat the bread of laziness.
28 Her sons stand up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:
29 "Many daughters have done nobly, but you have risen above them all."
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is a vapor, but a woman who fears the LORD is the one to be praised.
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her deeds praise her in the gates.