| 1 |
The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
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| 2 |
What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? And what, O 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 to say, Where is strong drink?
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| 5 |
Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
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| 6 |
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
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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 left desolate.
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| 9 |
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
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| 10 |
A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
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| 11 |
The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
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| 12 |
She doeth 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 merchant-ships; She bringeth her bread from afar.
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| 15 |
She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task 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 maketh strong her arms.
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| 18 |
She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable; Her lamp goeth not out by night.
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| 19 |
She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
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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 for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen 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 linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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| 25 |
Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
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| 26 |
She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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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 rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
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| 29 |
Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
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| 30 |
Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
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| 31 |
Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
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