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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A Virtuous Woman - Read the Commentary
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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 cellest 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. |