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The Sayings for King Lemuel

Verse1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

Verse2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

Verse3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

Verse4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

Verse5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

Verse6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

Verse7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

Verse8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

Verse9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

The Virtues of a Noble Woman

Verse10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

Verse11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

Verse12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

Verse13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

Verse14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

Verse15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

Verse16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

Verse17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

Verse18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

Verse19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

Verse20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Verse21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

Verse22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

Verse23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

Verse24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

Verse25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

Verse26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

Verse27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

Verse28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

Verse29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

Verse30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Verse31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.