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These are the words of King Lemuel — the burden that his mother taught him:
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What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
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Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
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lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
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Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
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Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
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A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
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She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
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She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
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She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
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She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
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She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
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Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
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“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
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Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
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Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.