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The words of Lemuel, the king— the burden which his mother instructed him:
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What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
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Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to those who destroy kings.
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It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to seek strong drink,
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lest he drink and forget what is decreed, and bend the Judgment of all the afflicted.
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Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those bitter in being.
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Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his trouble no more.
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Open your mouth for the speechless, for the Judgment of all those passing away.
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Open your mouth. Judge with Righteousness, and render Judgment for the poor and the needy.
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An ishah of strength— who can find? For her worth is far beyond jewels.
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The heart of her ish trusts in her, and he shall lack no gain.
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She repays him good and not evil all the days of her life.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with the delight of her hands.
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She is like the ships of a merchant; from afar she brings her bread.
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She rises while it is still night and gives food to her house, and an appointed portion to her maidservants.
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She considers a field and takes it. From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
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She perceives that her merchandise is good. Her lamp does not go out in the night.
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She stretches out her hands to the distaff, and her palms take hold of the spindle.
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She opens her palm to the poor and stretches out her hands to the needy.
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She does not fear for her house because of snow, for all her house is clothed in scarlet.
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She makes coverings for herself. Fine linen and purple are her clothing.
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Her ish is known in the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and gives belts to the merchant.
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Strength and honor are her clothing, and she laughs at the latter day.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the Torah of Covenant-Faithfulness is upon her tongue.
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She watches over the paths of her house and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her sons rise and call her blessed. Her ish also, and he praises her:
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“Many daughters have acted with strength, but you have risen above them all.”
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Favor is deceptive, and beauty is vapor, but an ishah who fears Yahuah— she shall be praised.
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Give her from the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.