1The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
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2“Oh, my son!
- Oh, son of my womb!
- Oh, son of my vows!
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3Don’t give your strength to women,
- nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
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4It is not for kings, Lemuel;
- it is not for kings to drink wine;
- nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
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5lest they drink, and forget the law,
- and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
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6Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish;
- and wine to the bitter in soul:
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7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
- and remember his misery no more.
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8Open your mouth for the mute,
- in the cause of all who are left desolate.
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9Open your mouth, judge righteously,
- and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
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10
Who can find a worthy woman?
- For her price is far above rubies.
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11The heart of her husband trusts in her.
- He shall have no lack of gain.
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12She does him good, and not harm,
- all the days of her life.
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13She seeks wool and flax,
- and works eagerly with her hands.
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14She is like the merchant ships.
- She brings her bread from afar.
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15She rises also while it is yet night,
- gives food to her household,
- and portions for her servant girls.
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16She considers a field, and buys it.
- With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
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17She arms her waist with strength,
- and makes her arms strong.
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18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
- Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
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19She lays her hands to the distaff,
- and her hands hold the spindle.
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20She opens her arms to the poor;
- yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
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21She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
- for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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22She makes for herself carpets of tapestry.
- Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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23Her husband is respected in the gates,
- when he sits among the elders of the land.
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24She makes linen garments and sells them,
- and delivers sashes to the merchant.
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25Strength and dignity are her clothing.
- She laughs at the time to come.
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26She opens her mouth with wisdom.
- Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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27She looks well to the ways of her household,
- and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
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28Her children rise up and call her blessed.
- Her husband also praises her:
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29“Many women do noble things,
- but you excel them all.”
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30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
- but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
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31Give her of the fruit of her hands!
- Let her works praise her in the gates!