² O my son, O son of my womb,
    O son of my vows,
³ do not waste your strength on women,
    on those who ruin kings.

⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
    Rulers should not crave alcohol.
⁵ For if they drink, they may forget the law
    and not give justice to the oppressed.

⁸ Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    ensure justice for those being crushed.
⁹ Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.

¹³ She finds wool and flax
    and busily spins it.
¹⁴ She is like a merchant’s ship,
    bringing her food from afar.
¹⁵ She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household
    and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

¹⁶ She goes to inspect a field and buys it;
    with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
¹⁷ She is energetic and strong,
    a hard worker.
¹⁸ She makes sure her dealings are profitable;
    her lamp burns late into the night.

¹⁹ Her hands are busy spinning thread,
    her fingers twisting fiber.
²⁰ She extends a helping hand to the poor
    and opens her arms to the needy.
²¹ She has no fear of winter for her household,
    for everyone has warm^[a] clothes.

²² She makes her own bedspreads.
    She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.