1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:2What are you doing, my son?[1] What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? (1 Sm 1,27; Iz 49,15)3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. (Pwt 17,17; 1 Krl 11,1; Neh 13,26; Przyp 5,9; Przyp 7,26)4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, (1 Krl 16,9; 1 Krl 20,16; Przyp 20,1; Kazn 10,17; Oz 4,11)5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. (Iz 5,22)6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;[2] (Job 3,20; Job 29,13)7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. (Ps 104,15)8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.[3] (Job 29,12; Job 29,15; Iz 1,17)9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. (Kpł 19,15; Pwt 1,16; Ps 40,17; Ps 86,1; Przyp 31,20; Iz 1,17; Jer 22,16)
The Woman Who Fears the Lord
10[4] An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. (Rt 3,11; Job 28,18; Przyp 12,4; Przyp 18,22; Przyp 19,14)11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. (Przyp 31,21; Przyp 31,24)14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. (Ps 111,5; Przyp 20,13; Łk 12,42)16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.17She dresses herself[5] with strength and makes her arms strong. (Przyp 31,25)18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. (Przyp 31,9; Rz 12,13; Ef 4,28)21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.[6] (2 Sm 1,24)22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. (Rdz 41,42; Sdz 8,26; Przyp 7,16; Ap 19,8; Ap 19,14)23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land. (Rt 4,1)24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. (Sdz 14,12; Iz 3,23)25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. (Przyp 31,17)26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” (Przyp 31,10; Pnp 6,9)30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Przyp 11,16)31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.