1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb?
3Give not thy strength unto women,
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
5Lest they drink, and forget the law,
6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
8Open thy mouth for the dumb
9Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
10(א) Who can find a virtuous woman?
11(ב) The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
12(ג) She will do him good and not evil
13(ד) She seeketh wool, and flax,
14(ה) She is like the merchant’s ships;
15(ו) She riseth also while it is yet night,
16(ז) She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
17(ח) She girdeth her loins with strength,
18(ט) She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
19(י) She layeth her hands to the spindle,
20(כ) She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
21(ל) She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
22(מ) She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
23(נ) Her husband is known in the gates,
24(ס) She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
25(ע) Strength and honour are her clothing;
26(פ) She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
27(צ) She looketh well to the ways of her household,
28(ק) Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
29(ר) Many daughters have done virtuously,
30(ש) Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
31(ת) Give her of the fruit of her hands;