1. The words of King Lemuel,an oracle that his mother taught him:
2. O my son, O son of my womb,O son of my vows,
3. Do not give your strength to women,nor your ways to that which ruins kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kings to drink wine,or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5. lest they drink and forget what is decreed,and remove from all the poor their legal rights.
6. Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
7. let them drink and forget their poverty,and remember their misery no more.
8. Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak,for the legal rights of all the dying.
9. Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10. Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.
11. The heart of her husband has confidence in her,and he has no lack of gain.
12. She brings him good and not evilall the days of her life.
13. She obtains wool and flax,and she is pleased to work with her hands.
14. She is like the merchant ships;she brings her food from afar.
15. She also gets up while it is still night,and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.
16. She considers a field and buys it;from her own income she plants a vineyard.
17. She begins her work vigorously,and she strengthens her arms.