311 The words of King Lemuel , the oracle which his mother taught him: 2 What , O my son ? And what , O son of my womb ? And what , O son of my vows ? 3 Do not give your strength to women , Or your ways to that which destroys kings . 4 It is not for kings , O Lemuel , It is not for kings to drink wine , Or for rulers to desire strong drink , 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed , And pervert the rights of all the afflicted . 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing , And wine to him whose life is bitter . 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more . 8 Open your mouth for the mute , For the rights of all the unfortunate e . 9 Open your mouth , judge righteously , And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy .
10 An excellent wife , who can find ? For her worth is far above jewels . 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain . 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life . 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight . 14 She is like merchant ships ; She brings her food from afar . 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens . 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings e she plants a vineyard . 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong . 18 She senses that her gain is good ; Her lamp does not go out at night . 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff , And her hands grasp the spindle . 20 She extends her hand to the poor , And she stretches out her hands to the needy . 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household , For all her household are clothed with scarlet . 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple . 23 Her husband is known in the gates , When he sits among the elders of the land . 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen . 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing , And she smiles at the future e . 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom , And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue . 27 She looks well to the ways of her household , And does not eat the bread of idleness . 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 "Many daughters have done nobly , But you excel them all ." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain , But a woman who fears the Lord , she shall be praised . 31 Give her the product of her hands , And let her works praise her in the gates .
