1. The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2. What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?What are you doing, son of my vows?
3. Do not give your strength to women,your ways to those who destroy kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kings to drink wine,or for rulers to take strong drink,
5. lest they drink and forget what has been decreedand pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,and wine to those in bitter distress;
7. let them drink and forget their povertyand remember their misery no more.
8. Open your mouth for the mute,for the rights of all who are destitute.
9. Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10. An excellent wife who can find?She is far more precious than 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 harm,all the days of her life.
13. She seeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands.
14. She is like the ships of the merchant;she brings her food from afar.
15. She rises while it is yet nightand provides food for her householdand portions for her maidens.
16. She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17. She dresses herself with strengthand makes her arms strong.
18. She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night.
19. She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.
20. She opens her hand to the poorand reaches out her hands to the needy.