Read the Bible

¹ These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
    was taught by his mother.
² My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
    so listen carefully.
³ Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
    This has ruined many kings.

⁴ Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
    or even want to drink.
⁵ Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
    and you mistreat the poor.
⁶ Beer and wine are only
for the dying
    or for those
    who have lost all hope.
⁷ Let them drink
    and forget
how poor and miserable
    they feel.
⁸ But you must defend
those who are helpless
    and have no hope.
⁹ Be fair and give justice
    to the poor and homeless.

¹⁰ A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
    a man can find!
¹¹ Her husband depends on her,
    and she never
    lets him down.
¹² She is good to him
    every day of her life,
¹³     and with her own hands
    she gladly makes clothes.

¹⁴ She is like a sailing ship
    that brings food
    from across the sea.
¹⁵ She gets up before daylight
to prepare food
    for her family
    and for her servants.^[a]
16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
¹⁷     and she always works hard.
¹⁸ She knows when to buy or sell,
    and she stays busy
    until late at night.
¹⁹ She spins her own cloth,
²⁰     and she helps the poor
    and the needy.
²¹ Her family has warm clothing,
    and so she doesn't worry
    when it snows.
²² She does her own sewing,
    and everything she wears
    is beautiful.

²³ Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
    in the city.
²⁴ She makes clothes to sell
    to the shop owners.
²⁵ She is strong and graceful,^[b]
    as well as cheerful
    about the future.
²⁶ Her words are sensible,
    and her advice
    is thoughtful.
²⁷ She takes good care
of her family
    and is never lazy.
²⁸ Her children praise her,
    and with great pride
    her husband says,
²⁹ "There are many good women,
    but you are the best!"

³⁰ Charm can be deceiving,
    and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
    deserves to be praised.
³¹ Show her respect—
    praise her in public
    for what she has done.