1These are the words of King Lemuel, the revelation his mother taught him.
2“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son for whom I made vows!
3Don't spend your strength on women, or your energy on activities that destroy kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; and it is not for rulers to crave strong drink.
5Otherwise, they might drink too much, forget the law, and deny justice to anyone who is suffering.
6Give strong drink to those who are about to die, and wine to those who are deeply sad.
7Let them drink, forget their poverty, and remember their troubles no more.
8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are defenseless.
9Speak up, judge fairly, and give justice to the poor and needy."
10Who can find a truly good woman? She is worth far more than rubies.
11Her husband trusts her completely, and he will always have plenty.
12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13She looks for wool and flax and works with her hands cheerfully.
14She is like merchant ships, bringing her food from distant places.
15She gets up while it is still night to prepare food for her family and to give her female servants their tasks.
16She inspects a field and buys it; with the money she earns, she plants a vineyard.
17She works hard and strengthens her arms.
18She sees that her business is profitable; her lamp stays lit late into the night.
19She uses her hands to spin thread and holds the spindle.
20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, because all of them are clothed in warm, red garments.
22She makes her own bed coverings. Her clothing is made of fine linen and purple fabric.
23Her husband is respected publicly when he sits with the elders of the land.
24She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies belts to traders.
25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she looks forward to the future with a smile.
26When she speaks, she does so with wisdom, and she teaches others with kindness.
27She carefully manages her household and is never lazy.
28Her children stand up and praise her; her husband also praises her, saying,
29“Many women have done excellent things, but you surpass them all.”
30Charm can be misleading, and beauty fades, but a woman who respects Yahweh will be praised.
31Reward her for all she has done, and let her good deeds be recognized publicly.