| Chapter 31 |
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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