*The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:*O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,*Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.*It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, *lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. *Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; *let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.*Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. *Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
The Wife of Noble Character
*Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.*The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. *She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life.*She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. *She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar.*She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.*She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.*She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.*She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.*Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.*She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy.*She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. *She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. *Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.*She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.*She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.*She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.*She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. *Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her:*“Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!”*Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.*Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
