WeBible

1 - The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 - What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3 - Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

4 - [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 - Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6 - Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.

7 - Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 - Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

9 - Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 - Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.

11 - The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

12 - She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 - She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

14 - She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15 - She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16 - She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 - She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18 - She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19 - She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

20 - She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth forth 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 maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.

23 - Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

24 - She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles to the merchant.

25 - Strength and honor [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 - She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue [is] the law of kindness.

27 - She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 - Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.

29 - Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

30 - Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

31 - Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.