The Sayings for King Lemuel
The words of Lemuel, king; the oracle with which his mother disciplined him:
What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to those who wipe out kings.
It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink,
lest he drink and forget what is decreed, and change the cause of all the sons of affliction.
Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those bitter of soul.
Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
Open your mouth for the mute, for the cause of all the sons of passing away.
Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the afflicted and needy.
The Virtues of a Noble Woman
A woman of valor — who can find? Her price is far beyond corals.
The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he does not lack spoil.
She deals him good and not evil all the days of her life.
She seeks wool and flax, and works with the delight of her palms.
She is like the ships of a merchant; from afar she brings her bread.
And she rises while it is still night and gives food to her house, and a portion to her young women.
She considers a field and takes it; from the fruit of her palms she plants a vineyard.
She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms firm.
She tastes that her trading is good; her lamp does not go out in the night.
She sends out her hands to the distaff, and her palms hold the spindle.
She spreads out her palm to the afflicted, and sends out her hands to the needy.
She does not fear for her house because of snow, for all her house is clothed in scarlet.
She makes coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
She makes linen garments and sells them, and gives a sash to the merchant.
Strength and splendor are her clothing, and she laughs at the last day.
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the instruction of loyal love is on her tongue.
She watches over the goings of her house and does not eat the bread of idleness.
Her sons rise and call her happy; her husband, and he praises her:
“Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have gone up above them all.”
Grace is falsehood and beauty a breath; a woman who fears the LORD — she will be praised.
Give her from the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.