1 The 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 3 Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings 4 Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns 5 And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor 6 Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul 7 Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more 8 Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through 9 Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor 10 Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price 11 The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils 12 She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life 13 She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands 14 She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away 15 And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids 16 She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard 17 She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm 18 She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night 19 She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle 20 She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor 21 She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold 22 She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment 23 Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land 24 She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite 25 Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days 26 She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue 27 She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness 28 Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her 29 Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all 30 Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised 31 Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates
