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The Words of King Lemuel

¹ The words of King Lemuel—an oracle that his mother taught him:² What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?³ Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,⁵ lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of justice.⁶ Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.⁷ Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.⁸ Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the justice of all the dispossessed.⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

¹⁰ Who^(a) can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than rubies.¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will lack nothing of value.¹² She will bring him good and not harm all the days of her life.¹³ She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.¹⁴ She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.¹⁵ She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.¹⁶ She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.^{17 (a)}She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.¹⁸ She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.²⁰ She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.²¹ When it snows, she is not afraid for her household; for they are all clothed in scarlet^(a).²² She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.²³ Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.²⁵ Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.²⁶ She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.²⁷ She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.²⁸ Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:²⁹ “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”³⁰ Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.³¹ Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.