311 The words of King Lemuel , the oracle which his mother taught him: 2 What , O my son ? And what , O son of my womb ? And what , O son of my vows ? 3 Do not give your strength to women , Or your ways to that which destroys kings . 4 It is not for kings , O Lemuel , It is not for kings to drink wine , Or for rulers to desire strong drink , 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed , And pervert the rights of all the afflicted . 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing , And wine to him whose life is bitter . 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more . 8 Open your mouth for the mute , For the rights of all the unfortunate e . 9 Open your mouth , judge righteously , And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy .
10 An excellent wife , who can find ? For her worth is far above jewels . 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain . 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life . 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight . 14 She is like merchant ships ; She brings her food from afar . 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens . 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings e 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 grasp 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 among the elders of the land . 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen . 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing , And she smiles at the future e . 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom , And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue . 27 She looks well to the ways of her household , And does not eat the bread of idleness . 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: 29 "Many daughters have done nobly , But you excel them all ." 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain , But a woman who fears the Lord , she shall be praised . 31 Give her the product of her hands , And let her works praise her in the gates .
31 My son , do not forget my teaching , But let your heart keep my commandments ; 2 For length of days and years of life And peace they will add to you. 3 Do not let kindness and truth leave you; Bind them around your neck , Write them on the tablet of your heart . 4 So you will find favor and good repute In the sight of God and man . 5 Trust in the Lord with all your heart And do not lean on your own understanding . 6 In all your ways acknowledge Him, And He will make your paths straight .
7 Do not be wise in your own eyes ; Fear the Lord and turn away from evil . 8 It will be healing to your body And refreshment to your bones . 9 Honor the Lord from your wealth And from the first of all your produce ; 10 So your barns will be filled with plenty And your vats will overflow with new wine . 11 My son , do not reject the discipline of the Lord Or loathe His reproof , 12 For whom the Lord loves He reproves , Even as a father corrects the son in whom he delights .
13 How blessed is the man who finds wisdom And the man who gains understanding . 14 For her profit is better than the profit of silver And her gain better than fine gold . 15 She is more precious than jewels ; And nothing e you desire compares with her. 16 Long life is in her right hand ; In her left hand are riches and honor . 17 Her ways are pleasant ways And all her paths are peace . 18 She is a tree of life to those who take hold of her, And happy are all who hold her fast . 19 The Lord by wisdom founded the earth , By understanding He established the heavens . 20 By His knowledge the deeps were broken up And the skies drip with dew .
21 My son , let them not vanish from your sight ; Keep sound wisdom and discretion , 22 So they will be life to your soul And adornment to your neck . 23 Then you will walk in your way securely And your foot will not stumble . 24 When you lie down , you will not be afraid ; When you lie down , your sleep will be sweet . 25 Do not be afraid of sudden fear Nor of the onslaught of the wicked when it comes ; 26 For the Lord will be your confidence And will keep your foot from being caught .
27 Do not withhold good from those to whom it is due , When it is in your power to do it. 28 Do not say to your neighbor , "Go , and come back , And tomorrow I will give it," When you have it with you. 29 Do not devise harm against your neighbor , While he lives securely beside you. 30 Do not contend with a man without cause , If he has done you no harm . 31 Do not envy a man of violence And do not choose any of his ways . 32 For the devious are an abomination to the Lord ; But He is intimate with the upright . 33 The curse of the Lord is on the house of the wicked , But He blesses the dwelling of the righteous . 34 Though He scoffs at the scoffers , Yet He gives grace to the afflicted . 35 The wise will inherit honor , But fools display dishonor .
