Proverbs

¹The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him: ²“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! ³Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. ⁴It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’ ⁵lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. ⁶Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul. ⁷Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. ⁸Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. ⁹Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”

¹⁰Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies. ¹¹The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. ¹²She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. ¹³She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. ¹⁴She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. ¹⁵She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. ¹⁶She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. ¹⁷She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. ¹⁸She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night. ¹⁹She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. ²⁰She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. ²¹She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet. ²²She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. ²³Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. ²⁴She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. ²⁵Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. ²⁶She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue. ²⁷She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness. ²⁸Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: ²⁹“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.” ³⁰Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. ³¹Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!