The words
of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother
taught him.
02 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb?
and what, the son of my vows?
03 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways
to that which destroyeth kings.
04 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for
kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong
drink:
05 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and
pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
06 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to
perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy
hearts.
07 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and
remember his misery no more.
08 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of
all such as are appointed to destruction.
09 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead
the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price
is far above rubies.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in
her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 She will do him good and not evil all the days
of her life.
13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh
willingly with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth
her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and
giveth meat to her household, and a portion to
her maidens.
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.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her
hands hold the distaff.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea,
she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of the snow for her
household: for all her household are clothed with
scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her
clothing is silk and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he
sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and
delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she
shall rejoice in time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her
tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
and eateth not the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou
excellest them all.
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a
woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be
praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let
her own works praise her in the gates.
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