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Advice to a King

¹ These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:

² "You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you? ³ Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings. ⁴ Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol. ⁵ When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need. ⁶ Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery. ⁷ Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.

⁸ "Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless. ⁹ Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."

The Capable Wife

¹⁰ How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!

¹¹ Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.

¹² As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.

¹³ She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.

¹⁴ She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.

¹⁵ She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.

¹⁶ She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.

¹⁸ She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.

¹⁹ She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.

²⁰ She is generous to the poor and needy.

²¹ She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.

²² She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.

²³ Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.

²⁴ She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.

²⁵ She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.

²⁶ She speaks with a gentle wisdom.

²⁷ She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.

²⁸ Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.

²⁹ He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all."

³⁰ Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.

³¹ Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.