The Sayings for King Lemuel

1The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:

2“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?

3Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.

4Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.

5And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.

6Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.

7Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.

8Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.

9Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

10Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.

11The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.

12She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.

13She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.

14She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.

15And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.

16She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.

17She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.

18She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.

19She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.

20She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.

21She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.

22She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.

23Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.

24She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.

25Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.

26She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.

27She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.

28Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.

29Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.

30Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.

31Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.