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1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
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2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
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4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
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6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
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7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
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11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
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12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
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13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
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16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
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18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
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19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
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23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
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28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
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30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
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31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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- 1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
- 2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
- 3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
- 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
- 5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
- 6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
- 7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
- 8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
- 9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
- 10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
- 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
- 12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
- 13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
- 14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
- 15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
- 16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
- 17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
- 18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
- 19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
- 20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
- 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
- 22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- 23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
- 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
- 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
- 26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
- 27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
- 28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
- 29 “Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
- 30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
- 31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
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