Chapter summary

This chapter begins with the sayings of King Lemuel, which his mother taught him regarding royal conduct and governance. She advises him to avoid wasting his strength on women and to refrain from drinking wine or strong drink, which could cause rulers to forget the law and pervert justice for the oppressed. Instead, she instructs him to give strong drink to the perishing and bitter, and commands him to speak up for the voiceless, judge righteously, and defend the poor and needy. The second part of the chapter describes the character and daily activities of an industrious and noble wife. She manages her household by working with wool and flax, providing food for her family and servants, buying a field, planting a vineyard, and making garments to sell to merchants. Her husband is respected among the elders at the city gates, and her children and husband praise her for her wisdom, strength, and works.

Summary automatically generated from the Bible text.