An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

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

Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,

What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."

Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.