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The Proverbs, Chapter 31
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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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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 excellest 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.
Ecclesiastes
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