The words
of king
Lemuel,
the prophecy
that his mother
taught
him.
What, my son?
and what, the son
of my womb?
and what, the son
of my vows?
Give
not thy strength
unto women,
nor thy ways
to that which destroyeth
kings.
It is not for kings,
O Lemuel,
it is not for kings
to drink
wine;
nor for
princes
strong drink:
Lest they drink,
and forget
the law,
and pervert
the judgment
of any of the afflicted.
Give
strong drink
unto him that is ready to perish,
and wine
unto those that be of heavy
hearts.
Let him drink,
and forget
his poverty,
and remember
his misery
no more.
poverty
πενίας
penias
Open
thy mouth
for the dumb
in the cause
of all such as are appointed
to destruction.
Open
thy mouth,
judge
righteously,
and plead
the cause of the poor
and needy.
Who can find
a virtuous
woman?
for her price
is far
above rubies.
The heart
of her husband
doth safely trust
in her, so that he shall have no need
of spoil.
She will do
him good
and not evil
all the days
of her life.
She seeketh
wool,
and flax,
and worketh
willingly
with her hands.
She is like the merchants'
ships;
she bringeth
her food
from afar.
She riseth
also while it is yet night,
and giveth
meat
to her household,
and a portion
to her maidens.
She considereth
a field,
and buyeth
it: with the fruit
of her hands
she planteth
a vineyard.
She girdeth
her loins
with strength,
and strengtheneth
her arms.
She perceiveth
that her merchandise
is good:
her candle
goeth not out
by night.
She layeth
her hands
to the spindle,
and her hands
hold
the distaff.
She stretcheth out
her hand
to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth
her hands
to the needy.
She is not afraid
of the snow
for her household:
for all her household
are clothed
with scarlet.
She maketh
herself coverings of tapestry;
her clothing
is silk
and purple.
Her husband
is known
in the gates,
when he sitteth
among the elders
of the land.
She maketh
fine linen,
and selleth
it; and delivereth
girdles
unto the merchant.
Strength
and honour
are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice
in time
to come.
She openeth
her mouth
with wisdom;
and in her tongue
is the law
of kindness.
She looketh well
to the ways
of her household,
and eateth
not the bread
of idleness.
Her children
arise up,
and call her blessed;
her husband
also, and he praiseth
her.
wisely
σοφῶς
sophōs
according to the law
νομοθέσμως
nomothesmōs
Many
daughters
have done
virtuously,
but thou excellest
them all.
Favour
is deceitful,
and beauty
is vain:
but a woman
that feareth
the LORD,
she shall be praised.
Give
her of the fruit
of her hands;
and let her own works
praise
her in the gates.
