Proverbs

¹ The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:

² And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

³ Or your ways to that which blots out kings.

⁴ It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

⁵ And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

⁶ And wine to those whose soul is bitter.

⁷ And he will not remember his trouble any longer.

⁸ For the justice of all those passing away.

⁹ And render justice to the afflicted and needy.

¹⁰ א  Aleph An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.

¹¹ The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

¹² She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.

¹³ She searches for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

¹⁴ She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

¹⁵ And she rises while it is still night, And gives food to her household And a portion to her young women.

¹⁶ She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

¹⁷ She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

¹⁸ She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

¹⁹ She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold fast the spindle.

²⁰ She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

²³ Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits with the elders of the land.

²⁴ She makes linen garments and sells them, And gives belts to the tradesmen.

²⁵ Strength and majesty are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

²⁶ She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.

²⁷ She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

²⁸ Her children rise up and bless her; As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:

²⁹ “Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all.”

³⁰ Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

³¹ Give to her from the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.