1 THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying,

2 Oh my son! Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!

3 Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to the extravagance of kings.

4 Of kings, O Moael, be careful of kings who drink wine; and of princes who drink strong drink,

5 Lest you drink and forget the law and forsake the judgment of the afflicted.

6 Let strong drink be given to those who mourn, and wine to those who are of heavy heart,

7 That they may drink, and forget their sorrows, and remember their miseries no more.

8 Open your mouth with words of truth, and judge all the sons of the wicked.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a diligent woman? For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and her food supplies never diminish.

12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13 She seeks wool and linen, and works willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the merchant's ship, she brings her merchandise from afar.

15 She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids.

16 She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17 She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.

18 She perceives that her merchandise is good; her lamp does not go out all night.

19 She stretches out her arms diligently, and puts her hands to the spindle.

20 She stretches out her hands to the poor; yea, she stretches forth her arms to the needy.

21 The members of her household are not afraid of snow; for all of them are clothed with scarlet.

22 She makes herself a covering of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

23 Her husband is known in cities, when he sits among the elders of the land.

24 She makes fine linen, and sells it; and delivers girdles to the merchants.

25 Strength and honor are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.

27 The ways of her household are above reproach, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; and her husband also praises her.

29 Many daughters have become rich, but you have excelled them all.

30 Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain; but a woman who reverences the LORD shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gate.