2. No, my son!No, son of my womb!No, son of my solemn promises!
3. Don’t give your strength to women,your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4. It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,it isn’t for kings to drink wine,for rulers to crave strong drink.
5. Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,and violate the rights of the needy.
6. Give strong drink to those who are perishingand wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7. Let them drink and forget their povertyand no longer remember their toil.
8. Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
9. Speak out in order to judge with righteousnessand to defend the needy and the poor.
10. A competent wife, how does one find her?Her value is far above pearls.
11. Her husband entrusts his heart to her,and with her he will have all he needs.
12. She brings him good and not troubleall the days of her life.
13. She seeks out wool and flax;she works joyfully with her hands.
14. She is like a fleet of merchant ships,bringing food from a distance.
15. She gets up while it is still night,providing food for her household,even some for her female servants.
16. She surveys a field and acquires it;from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.