The Words of Lemuel
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Proverbs 31:1
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
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Proverbs 31:2
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
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Proverbs 31:3
Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
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Proverbs 31:4
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
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Proverbs 31:5
For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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Proverbs 31:6
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
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Proverbs 31:7
Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
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Proverbs 31:8
Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
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Proverbs 31:9
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
Description of a Worthy Woman
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Proverbs 31:10
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
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Proverbs 31:11
The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
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Proverbs 31:12
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
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Proverbs 31:13
She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
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Proverbs 31:14
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
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Proverbs 31:15
She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
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Proverbs 31:16
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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Proverbs 31:17
She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
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Proverbs 31:18
She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
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Proverbs 31:19
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
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Proverbs 31:20
She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
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Proverbs 31:21
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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Proverbs 31:22
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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Proverbs 31:23
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
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Proverbs 31:24
She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
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Proverbs 31:25
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
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Proverbs 31:26
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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Proverbs 31:27
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Proverbs 31:28
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
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Proverbs 31:29
“Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all.”
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Proverbs 31:30
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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Proverbs 31:31
Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
