- 1
- ¶ THE words of Moael, a king and prophet, which his mother taught him, saying,
- 2
- Oh my son!
Oh the son of my womb! Oh the son of my vows!
- 3
- Give not your strength to women, nor your ways to the extravagance of kings.
- 4
- Of kings, O Moael, be careful of kings who drink wine;
and of princes who drink strong drink,
- 5
- Lest you drink and forget the law and forsake the judgment of the afflicted.
- 6
- Let strong drink be given to those who mourn, and wine to those who are of heavy heart,
- 7
- That they may drink, and forget their sorrows, and remember their miseries no more.
- 8
- Open your mouth with words of truth, and judge all the sons of the wicked.
- 9
- Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
- 10
- ¶ Who can find a diligent woman?
For her price is far above rubies.
- 11
- The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, and her food supplies never diminish.
- 12
- She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
- 13
- She seeks wool and linen, and works willingly with her hands.
- 14
- She is like the merchant’s ship, she brings her merchandise from afar.
- 15
- She rises also while it is yet night, and gives food to her household and work to her maids.
- 16
- She considers a field, and buys it: with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
- 17
- She girds her loins with strength, and strengthens her arms.
- 18
- She perceives that her merchandise is good;
her lamp does not go out all night.
- 19
- She stretches out her arms diligently, and puts her hands to the spindle.
- 20
- She stretches out her hands to the poor;
yea, she stretches forth her arms to the needy.
- 21
- The members of her household are not afraid of snow;
for all of them are clothed with scarlet.
- 22
- She makes herself a covering of tapestry;
her clothing is silk and purple.
- 23
- Her husband is known in cities, when he sits among the elders of the land.
- 24
- She makes fine linen, and sells it;
and delivers girdles to the merchants.
- 25
- Strength and honor are her clothing;
and she shall rejoice in time to come.
- 26
- She opens her mouth with wisdom;
and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
- 27
- The ways of her household are above reproach, and she does not eat the bread of idleness.
- 28
- Her children rise up and call her blessed;
and her husband also praises her.
- 29
- Many daughters have become rich, but you have excelled them all.
- 30
- Comeliness is deceitful and beauty is vain;
but a woman who reverences the LORD shall be praised.
- 31
- Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gate.
|