1The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy which his mother taught him:

2"What, my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3Do not give your strength unto women, nor your ways unto that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink,

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the rights of all of the afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those who are of heavy hearts.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8Open your mouth for the dumb in the cause of all who are appointed to destruction.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? For her value is far above rubies.

11The heart of her husband trusts safely in her, so that he shall have no lack of gain.

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeks wool and flax, and works willingly with her hands.

14She is like the merchants' ships; she brings her food from afar.

15She also rises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and a portion to her young maidens.

16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17She binds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.

18She sees that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out by night.

19She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20She stretches out her hand to the poor; yea, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes herself coverings; her clothing is silk and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes fine linen and sells it, and delivers girdles to the merchants.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

27She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also, and he praises her:

29'Many daughters have done nobly, but you excel them all. '

30Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates."