⁴ “It is not for kings, Lemuel.
It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
⁵     Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed
        and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
⁶ Give liquor to a person who is dying
    and wine to one who feels resentful.
⁷         Such a person drinks
            and forgets his poverty
                and does not remember his trouble anymore.

⁸ “Speak out for the one who cannot speak,
    for the rights of those who are doomed.
⁹ Speak out,
    judge fairly,
        and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people.”

¹³ “She seeks out wool and linen with care
    and works with willing hands.
¹⁴ She is like merchant ships.
She brings her food from far away.
¹⁵ She wakes up while it is still dark
    and gives food to her family
        and portions of food to her female slaves.

¹⁶ “She picks out a field and buys it.
She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
¹⁷ She puts on strength like a belt
    and goes to work with energy.
¹⁸ She sees that she is making a good profit.
Her lamp burns late at night.

¹⁹ “She puts her hands on the distaff,
    and her fingers hold a spindle.
²⁰ She opens her hands to oppressed people
    and stretches them out to needy people.
²¹ She does not fear for her family when it snows
    because her whole family
        has a double layer of clothing.
²² She makes quilts for herself.
Her clothes are made of linen and purple cloth.

²³ “Her husband is known at the city gates
    when he sits with the leaders of the land.

²⁴ “She makes linen garments and sells them
    and delivers belts to the merchants.
²⁵ She dresses with strength and nobility,
    and she smiles at the future.

²⁶ “She speaks with wisdom,
    and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
²⁷ She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family,
    and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
²⁸ Her children and her husband
    stand up and bless her.
In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
²⁹     ‘Many women have done noble work,
        but you have surpassed them all!’

³⁰ “Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates,
    but a woman who has the fear of the Lord should be praised.
³¹ Reward her for what she has done,
    and let her achievements praise her at the city gates.”