| Chapter 31 |
1 | The 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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3 | Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
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4 | It 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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5 | Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
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6 | Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to 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 your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.
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9 | Open 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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11 | The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
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12 | She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life.
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13 | She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands.
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14 | She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
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15 | She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And their task to her servant girls.
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16 | She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
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17 | She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong.
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18 | She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
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19 | She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
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20 | She stretches out her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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23 | Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
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24 | She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant.
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25 | Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
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26 | She opens her mouth with wisdom. The law of kindness is on her tongue.
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27 | She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
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28 | Her 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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30 | Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
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31 | Give her of the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gates.
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