311 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him: 2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows? 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink? 5 —lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul: 7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies. 11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. 12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. 13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. 14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar; 15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens. 16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms. 18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. 19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth 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 maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple. 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. 24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day. 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. 27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her: 29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. 30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.
31 My son, forget not my teaching, and let thy heart observe my commandments; 2 for length of days, and years of life, and peace shall they add to thee. 3 Let not loving-kindness and truth forsake thee; bind them about thy neck, write them upon the tablet of thy heart: 4 and thou shalt find favour and good understanding in the sight of God and man. 5 Confide in Jehovah with all thy heart, and lean not unto thine own intelligence; 6 in all thy ways acknowledge him, and he will make plain thy paths.
7 Be not wise in thine own eyes; fear Jehovah, and depart from evil: 8 it shall be health for thy navel, and moisture for thy bones. 9 Honour Jehovah with thy substance, and with the first-fruits of all thine increase; 10 so shall thy barns be filled with plenty, and thy vats shall overflow with new wine. 11 My son, despise not the instruction of Jehovah, neither be weary of his chastisement; 12 for whom Jehovah loveth he chasteneth, even as a father the son in whom he delighteth.
13 Blessed is the man that findeth wisdom, and the man that getteth understanding. 14 For the gain thereof is better than the gain of silver, and her revenue than fine gold. 15 She is more precious than rubies; and all the things thou canst desire are not equal unto her. 16 Length of days is in her right hand; in her left hand riches and honour. 17 Her ways are ways of pleasantness, and all her paths are peace. 18 She is a tree of life to them that lay hold upon her; and happy is he that retaineth her. 19 Jehovah by wisdom founded the earth; by understanding he established the heavens. 20 By his knowledge the deeps were broken up, and the skies drop down the dew.
21 My son, let them not depart from thine eyes; keep sound wisdom and discretion: 22 so shall they be life unto thy soul, and grace unto thy neck. 23 Then shalt thou walk in thy way securely, and thy foot shall not stumble; 24 when thou liest down, thou shalt not be afraid, but thou shalt lie down and thy sleep shall be sweet. 25 Be not afraid of sudden fear, neither of the destruction of the wicked, when it cometh; 26 for Jehovah shall be thy confidence, and he will keep thy foot from being taken.
27 Withhold not good from them to whom it is due, when it is in the power of thy hand to do it. 28 Say not unto thy neighbour, Go, and come again, and to-morrow I will give, when thou hast it by thee. 29 Devise not evil against thy neighbour, seeing he dwelleth securely by thee. 30 Strive not with a man without cause, if he have done thee no harm. 31 Envy not the man of violence, and choose none of his ways. 32 For the perverse is an abomination to Jehovah; but his secret is with the upright. 33 The curse of Jehovah is in the house of the wicked; but he blesseth the habitation of the righteous. 34 He indeed scorneth the scorners; but he giveth grace unto the lowly. 35 The wise shall inherit glory; but shame shall be the promotion of the foolish.
