1 The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
2 “What, my son?
3 Don’t give your strength to women
4 “It is not for kings, Lemuel.
5 Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed
6 Give liquor to a person who is dying
7 Such a person drinks
8 “Speak out for the one who cannot speak,
9 Speak out,
10 “Who can find a wife with a strong character?
11 Her husband trusts her with ⌞all⌟ his heart,
12 She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
13 “She seeks out wool and linen ⌞with care⌟
14 She is like merchant ships.
15 She wakes up while it is still dark
16 “She picks out a field and buys it.
17 She puts on strength like a belt
18 She sees that she is making a good profit.
19 “She puts her hands on the distaff,
20 She opens her hands to oppressed people
21 She does not fear for her family when it snows
22 She makes quilts for herself.
23 “Her husband is known at the city gates
24 “She makes linen garments and sells them
25 She dresses with strength and nobility,
26 “She speaks with wisdom,
27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,
28 Her children and her husband
29 ‘Many women have done noble work,
30 “Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates,
31 Reward her for what she has done,