1<\/sup>The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:<\/span> <\/p>\n 2<\/sup>“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?<\/span> <\/p>\n 3<\/sup>Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.<\/span> <\/p>\n 4<\/sup>Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.<\/span> <\/p>\n 5<\/sup>And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.<\/span> <\/p>\n 6<\/sup>Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.<\/span> <\/p>\n 7<\/sup>Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.<\/span> <\/p>\n 8<\/sup>Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.<\/span> <\/p>\n 9<\/sup>Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.<\/span> <\/p>\n 10<\/sup>Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.<\/span> <\/p>\n 11<\/sup>The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.<\/span> <\/p>\n 12<\/sup>She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.<\/span> <\/p>\n 13<\/sup>She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.<\/span> <\/p>\n 14<\/sup>She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.<\/span> <\/p>\n 15<\/sup>And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.<\/span> <\/p>\n 16<\/sup>She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.<\/span> <\/p>\n 17<\/sup>She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.<\/span> <\/p>\n 18<\/sup>She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.<\/span> <\/p>\n 19<\/sup>She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.<\/span> <\/p>\n 20<\/sup>She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.<\/span> <\/p>\n 21<\/sup>She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.<\/span> <\/p>\n 22<\/sup>She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.<\/span> <\/p>\n 23<\/sup>Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.<\/span> <\/p>\n 24<\/sup>She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.<\/span> <\/p>\n 25<\/sup>Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.<\/span> <\/p>\n 26<\/sup>She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.<\/span> <\/p>\n 27<\/sup>She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.<\/span> <\/p>\n 28<\/sup>Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.<\/span> <\/p>\n 29<\/sup>Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.<\/span> <\/p>\n 30<\/sup>Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.<\/span> <\/p>\n 31<\/sup>Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.<\/span> <\/p>\n