1. The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
2. O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3. do not give your vigor to women, or your ways to what ruins kings.
4. It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5. lest they drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6. Give strong drink to one who is dying, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed—
7. let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8. Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the justice of all who are destitute.
9. Open your mouth, judge righteously, plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10. An accomplished woman who can find? Her value is far beyond rubies.
11. Her husband’s heart trusts in her, and he lacks nothing valuable.
12. She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.