The Sayings for King Lemuel

1The wordes of king Lamuel, and the lesson that his mother taught him.

2What my sonne? what the sonne of my body? and what O my deare beloued sonne?

3Geue not ouer thy strength & wayes vnto women, which are the destruction euen of kynges.

4O Lamuel, it is not for kynges, it is not I say for kynges to drynke wine, nor princes strong drynke.

5Lest they by drnkyng forget the lawe, and peruert the iudgement of all poore mens children.

6Geue strong drynke vnto such as are redy to perishe, and wine vnto those that mourne:

7That they may drynke it, and forget their miserie and aduersitie.

8Be thou an aduocate for the dumbe, to speake in the cause of all such as be succourlesse in this transitorie worlde.

9Open thy mouth, defende the thyng that is lawfull and ryght, and the cause of the poore and helpelesse.

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

10Who so fyndeth an honest faythfull woman, she is much more worth then pearles.

11The heart of her husbande may safely trust in her, so that he shall fall into no pouertie.

12She wyll do hym good, and not euill, all the dayes of her lyfe.

13She occupieth wooll and flaxe, and laboureth gladly with her handes.

14She is like a marchauntes ship, that bryngeth her vittayles from a farre.

15She is vp in the nyght season, to prouide meate for her housholde, and foode for her maydens.

16She considereth lande, and byeth it: and with the fruite of her handes she planteth a vineyarde.

17She girdeth her loynes with strength, and fortifieth her armes.

18And yf she perceaue that her huswiferie doth good, her candell goeth not out by nyght.

19She layeth her fingers to the spindle, & her hande taketh holde of the distaffe.

20She openeth her hande to the poore, yea she stretcheth foorth her handes to such as haue neede.

21She feareth not that the colde of wynter shall hurt her housholde, for all her housholde folkes are clothed with scarlet.

22She maketh her selfe faire ornametes, her clothyng is white silke and purple.

23Her husbande is much set by in the gates, when he sitteth among the rulers of the lande.

24She maketh cloth of silke, and selleth it: and deliuereth girdles vnto the marchaunt.

25Strength and honour is her clothing, and in the latter day she shall reioyce.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdome, and in her tongue is the lawe of grace.

27She loketh well to the wayes of her housholde: and eateth not her bread with idlenesse.

28Her children arise vp & call her blessed: and her husbande shall make much of her.

29Many daughters there be that gather riches together: but thou goest aboue them all.

30As for fauour it is deceiptfull, & beautie is a vayne thyng: but a woman that feareth the Lorde, shalbe praysed.

31Geue her of the fruite of her handes: and let her owne workes prayse her in the gates.