- 1
- The words of king Lemuel;
the burden wherewith his mother corrected him.
- 2
- What, my son?
and what, O son of my womb?
and what, O son of my vows?
- 3
- Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
- 4
- It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine: nor for princes to say: "Where is strong drink?"
- 5
- Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed, and pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
- 6
- Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul;
- 7
- Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
- 8
- Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
- 9
- Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
- 10
- A woman of valour who can find?
for her price is far above rubies.
- 11
- The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, and he hath no lack of gain.
- 12
- She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.
- 13
- She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
- 14
- She is like the merchant-ships;
she bringeth her food from afar.
- 15
- She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
- 16
- She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
- 17
- She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
- 18
- She perceiveth that her merchandise is good;
her lamp goeth not out by night.
- 19
- She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
- 20
- She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
yea, she reacheth forth 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 maketh for herself coverlets;
her clothing is fine linen and purple.
- 23
- Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
- 24
- She maketh linen garments and selleth them;
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
- 25
- Strength and dignity are her clothing;
and she laugheth at the time to come.
- 26
- She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
- 27
- She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
- 28
- Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her:
- 29
- "Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou excellest them all."
- 30
- Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
but a woman that feareth the LORD, 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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