v1
The words of Lemuel, the king—an oracle that his mother taught him:
v2
What, my son? And what, my son in my womb? And what, son of my vows?
v3
Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to destroy kings.
v4
It is not for the kings, O Lemuel; drinking wine is not for the kings, nor is strong drink for rulers.
v5
Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed, and he will pervert the rights ^[Hebrew “right”] of all the afflicted. ^[Literally “sons of affliction”]
v6
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress. ^[Literally “to bitterness of soul”]
v7
He will drink and forget his poverty, and his misery he will not remember any more.
v8
Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights ^[Hebrew “right”] of all the needy. ^[Literally “the sons of the needy”]
v9
Open your mouth, judge righteousness, and defend the poor and needy.
v10
A woman ^[Or “wife”] of excellence, ^[Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency”] who will find? For her worth is far more than precious jewels.
v11
The heart of her husband ^[Or “lord”] trusts in her, and gain he will not lack.
v12
She does him good, but not harm all the days of her life.
v13
She seeks wool and flax, and she works with the diligence of her hands. ^[Literally “her palms”]
v14
She is like the ships of a merchant; from far off she brings her food; ^[Or “bread”]
v15
And she arises while it is still night, and gives food to her household, and tasks to her servant girls.
v16
She considers a field and buys it, from the fruit of her hand ^[Literally “her palm”] she plants a vineyard.
v17
She girds her waist in strength, and makes her arms strong.
v18
She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out in the night.
v19
Her hands she puts onto the distaff, ^[A stick or spindle onto which wool or flax is wound in preparation for spinning] and her palms hold a spindle.
v20
Her palm she opens to the poor, and her hand she reaches out to the needy.
v21
She does not fear for her house when it snows, for her entire household ^[Literally “all her house, household”] is clothed in crimson.
v22
She makes for herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
v23
Her husband ^[Or “lord”] is known at the gates, in his seat among the elders of the land.
v24
Linen garments she makes and sells, and she supplies sashes for the merchants.
v25
Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the future. ^[Literally “to the day/time coming after”]
v26
She opens her mouth with wisdom, and instruction of kindness is upon her tongue.
v27
She looks after the ways of her household, and the bread of idleness she will not eat.
v28
Her children rise and consider her happy, her husband ^[Or “lord”] also, and he praises her;
v29
“Many daughters have done excellence, ^[Or “strength,” or “valor,” or “ability,” or “efficiency”] but you surpass ^[Literally “you ascend over”] all of them.”
v30
Charm ^[Hebrew “The charm”] is deceit and beauty ^[Hebrew “the beauty”] is vain; ^[Or “vapor,” or “emptiness,” or “breath”] but a woman who fears Yahweh shall be praised.
v31
Give to her from the fruit of her hand, and may they praise her works in the city gates.