Utterances of Lemuel
1
The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:(a)
2
“What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
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Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
4
Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
5
And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
6
Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
7
Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
8
Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
9
Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
The virtuous spouse
10
Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
11
The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
12
She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13
She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
14
She has become like a merchant’s ship, bringing her bread from far away.
15
And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
16
She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
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She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
18
She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
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She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
20
She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
21
She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
22
She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
23
Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
24
She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.(b) (c)
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Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
26
She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
27
She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
28
Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.(d)
29
Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
30
Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
31
Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.
Footnotes