Proverbs 31
King Lemuel: Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
The Words of Lamuel and the Godly Wife1
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."
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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 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.Faithful 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!
Pr 31:1-31.
1. On the title of this, the sixth part of the book, see Introduction.
prophecy--(See on Pr 30:1).