1. The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2. Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3. Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4. It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5. lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6. Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7. Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8. Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10. A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11. Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12. She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13. She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14. She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.