31THE WORDS of Lemuel king of Massa, which his mother taught him:H1697H4428H3927H4853H517H3256 2What, my son? What, son of my womb? What [shall I advise you], son of my vows {and} dedication to God?H1248H1248H990H1248H5088 3Give not your strength to [loose] women, nor your ways to those who {and} that which ruin {and} destroy kings.H5414H2428H802H1870H4229H4428 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink,H4428H3927H4428H8354H3196H335H176H7336H7941 5Lest they drink and forget the law {and} what it decrees, and pervert the justice due any of the afflicted.H8354H7911H2710H8138H1779H1121H6040 6Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, and wine to him in bitter distress of heart.H5414H7941H6H3196H4751H5315 7Let him drink and forget his poverty and [seriously] remember his want {and} misery no more.H8354H7911H7389H2142H5999 8Open your mouth for the dumb [those unable to speak for themselves], for the rights of all who are left desolate {and} defenseless;H6605H6310H483H1779H1121H2475 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and administer justice for the poor and needy.H6605H6310H8199H6664H1777H6041H34 10A capable, intelligent, {and} virtuous woman--who is he who can find her? She is far more precious than jewels {and} her value is far above rubies {or} pearls.H4672H2428H802H4377H7350H6443 11The heart of her husband trusts in her confidently {and} relies on and believes in her securely, so that he has no lack of [honest] gain or need of [dishonest] spoil.H3820H1167H982H2637H7998 12She comforts, encourages, {and} does him only good as long as there is life within her.H1580H2896H7451H3117H2416 13She seeks out wool and flax and works with willing hands [to develop it].H1875H6785H6593H6213H2656H3709 14She is like the merchant ships loaded with foodstuffs; she brings her household's food from a far [country].H5503H591H935H3899H4801 15She rises while it is yet night and gets [spiritual] food for her household and assigns her maids their tasks.H6965H3915H5414H2964H1004H2706H5291 16She considers a [new] field before she buys {or} accepts it [expanding prudently and not courting neglect of her present duties by assuming other duties]; with her savings [of time and strength] she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard. [S. of Sol. 8:12.]H2161H7704H3947H6529H3709H5193H3754 17She girds herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task] and makes her arms strong {and} firm.H2296H4975H5797H553H2220 18She tastes {and} sees that her gain from work [with and for God] is good; her lamp goes not out, but it burns on continually through the night [of trouble, privation, or sorrow, warning away fear, doubt, and distrust].H2938H5504H2896H5216H3518H3915 19She lays her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.H7971H3027H3601H3709H8551H6418 20She opens her hand to the poor, yes, she reaches out her filled hands to the needy [whether in body, mind, or spirit].H6566H3709H6041H7971H3027H34 21She fears not the snow for her family, for all her household are doubly clothed in scarlet.H3372H7950H1004H1004H3847H8144 22She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, {and} rugs of tapestry. Her clothing is of linen, pure {and} fine, and of purple [such as that of which the clothing of the priests and the hallowed cloths of the temple were made].H6213H4765H3830H8336H713 23Her husband is known in the [city's] gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.H1167H3045H8179H3427H2205H776 24She makes fine linen garments {and} leads others to buy them; she delivers to the merchants girdles [or sashes that free one up for service].H6213H5466H4376H5414H2289H3669 25Strength and dignity are her clothing {and} her position is strong and secure; she rejoices over the future [the latter day or time to come, knowing that she and her family are in readiness for it]!H5797H1926H3830H7832H3117H314 26She opens her mouth in skillful and godly Wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness [giving counsel and instruction].H6605H6310H2451H3956H8451H2617 27She looks well to how things go in her household, and the bread of idleness (gossip, discontent, and self-pity) she will not eat.H6822H1979H1979H1004H398H3899H6104 28Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, fortunate, and to be envied); and her husband boasts of {and} praises her, [saying],H1121H6965H833H1167H1984 29Many daughters have done virtuously, nobly, {and} well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness], but you excel them all.H7227H1323H6213H2428H5927 30Charm {and} grace are deceptive, and beauty is vain [because it is not lasting], but a woman who reverently {and} worshipfully fears the Lord, she shall be praised!H2580H8267H3308H1892H802H3373H3068H1984 31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city]!H5414H6529H3027H4639H1984H8179
Dublin, OH
