| 1 The sayings of Lemuel king of Massa, taught him by his mother: | |
| 2 What, my son! What, son of my womb! What, son of my vows! | |
| 3 Do not expend your energy on women nor your wealth on those who ruin kings. | |
| 4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, not for kings the drinking of wine, not for princes the love of liquor, | |
| 5 for fear that in liquor they forget what they have decreed and pervert the course of justice against all the poor. | |
| 6 Procure strong drink for someone about to die, wine for him whose heart is heavy: | |
| 7 let him drink and forget his misfortune, and remember his misery no more. | |
| 8 Make your views heard, on behalf of the dumb, on behalf of all the unwanted; | |
| 9 make your views heard, pronounce an upright verdict, defend the cause of the poor and the wretched. | |
| 10 The truly capable woman -- who can find her? She is far beyond the price of pearls. | |
| 11 Her husband's heart has confidence in her, from her he will derive no little profit. | |
| 12 Advantage and not hurt she brings him all the days of her life. | |
| 13 She selects wool and flax, she does her work with eager hands. | |
| 14 She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away. | |
| 15 She gets up while it is still dark giving her household their food, giving orders to her serving girls. | |
| 16 She sets her mind on a field, then she buys it; with what her hands have earned she plants a vineyard. | |
| 17 She puts her back into her work and shows how strong her arms can be. | |
| 18 She knows that her affairs are going well; her lamp does not go out at night. | |
| 19 She sets her hands to the distaff, her fingers grasp the spindle. | |
| 20 She holds out her hands to the poor, she opens her arms to the needy. | |
| 21 Snow may come, she has no fears for her household, with all her servants warmly clothed. | |
| 22 She makes her own quilts, she is dressed in fine linen and purple. | |
| 23 Her husband is respected at the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land. | |
| 24 She weaves materials and sells them, she supplies the merchant with sashes. | |
| 25 She is clothed in strength and dignity, she can laugh at the day to come. | |
| 26 When she opens her mouth, she does so wisely; on her tongue is kindly instruction. | |
| 27 She keeps good watch on the conduct of her household, no bread of idleness for her. | |
| 28 Her children stand up and proclaim her blessed, her husband, too, sings her praises: | |
| 29 'Many women have done admirable things, but you surpass them all!' | |
| 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty empty; the woman who fears Yahweh is the one to praise. | |
| 31 Give her a share in what her hands have worked for, and let her works tell her praises at the city gates. | |
