1 These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: | TOSK |
2 What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? | TOSK |
3 Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. | TOSK |
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, | TOSK |
5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. | TOSK |
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. | TOSK |
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. | TOSK |
8 Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. | TOSK |
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. | TOSK |
10 A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. | TOSK |
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. | TOSK |
12 She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. | TOSK |
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. | TOSK |
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. | TOSK |
15 She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. | TOSK |
16 She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. | TOSK |
17 She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. | TOSK |
18 She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. | TOSK |
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. | TOSK |
20 She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | TOSK |
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. | TOSK |
22 She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | TOSK |
23 Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. | TOSK |
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. | TOSK |
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. | TOSK |
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. | TOSK |
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. | TOSK |
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: | TOSK |
29 “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” | TOSK |
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. | TOSK |
31 Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. | TOSK |