1 The words of King Lemuel, thea Or burdenoracle which his mother taught him: | |
2 What, O my son?
And what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows? | |
3 Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which destroys kings. | |
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink, | |
5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And pervert theb Lit judgmentrights of all thec Lit sons of afflictionafflicted. | |
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to himd Lit bitter of soulwhose life is bitter. | |
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more. | |
8 Open your mouth for the mute,
For thee Lit judgmentrights of all thef Lit sons of passing awayunfortunate. | |
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
Andg Lit judge the afflicteddefend the rights of the afflicted and needy. | |
10 An excellent wife, who can find?
For her worth is far above jewels. | |
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
And he will have no lack of gain. | |
12 She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life. | |
13 She looks for wool and flax
And works with herh Lit palmshandsi Or willinglyin delight. | |
14 She is like merchant ships;
She brings her food from afar. | |
15 She rises also while it is still night
And gives food to her household
Andj Or prescribed tasksportions to her maidens. | |
16 She considers a field and buys it;
Fromk Lit the fruit of her palmsher earnings she plants a vineyard. | |
17 She girdsl Lit her loinsherself with strength
And makes her arms strong. | |
18 She senses that her gain is good;
Her lamp does not go out at night. | |
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And herm Lit palmshands grasp the spindle. | |
20 Shen Lit spreads out her palmextends her hand to the poor,
And she stretches out her hands to the needy. | |
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
For all her household are clothed with scarlet. | |
22 She makes coverings for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple. | |
23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land. | |
24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
Ando Lit givessupplies belts to thep Lit Canaanitetradesmen. | |
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
And she smiles at theq Lit latter daysfuture. | |
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom,
And ther Or lawteaching of kindness is on her tongue. | |
27 She looks well to the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness. | |
28 Her children rise up and bless her;
Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: | |
29 “Many daughters have done nobly,
But you excel them all.” | |
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,
But a woman whos Or reverencesfears the LORD, she shall be praised. | |
31 Give her thet Lit fruitproduct of her hands,
And let her works praise her in the gates. | |
