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- The words of king Lemuel;
the oracle which his mother taught him.
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- What, my son?
and what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
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- Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
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- It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes [to say], Where is strong drink?
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- Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.
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- Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
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- Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
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- Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
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- Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
- 10
- A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
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- The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
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- She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
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- She seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly with her hands.
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- She is like the merchant-ships;
She bringeth her bread from afar.
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- She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task to her maidens.
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- She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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- She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
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- She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
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- She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
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- She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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- She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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- She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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- Her husband is known in the gates, When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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- She maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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- Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
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- She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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- She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.
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- Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
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- Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
- 30
- Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
[But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
- 31
- Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates.
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