Utterances of Lemuel
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The words of King Lemuel—the revelation which his mother taught him:
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“Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
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Don’t give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
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It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes to say, ‘Where is strong drink?’
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lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
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Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, and wine to the bitter in soul.
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Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.”
The virtuous spouse
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(a) Who can find a worthy woman? For her value is far above rubies.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
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She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands.
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She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
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She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls.
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She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard.
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She arms her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn’t go out by night.
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She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
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She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom. Kind instruction is on her tongue.
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She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn’t eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
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“Many women do noble things, but you excel them all.”
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Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates!
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