Proverbs 31
1
The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle [1] his mother taught him:
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"O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, [2]
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do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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"It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
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lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish;
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let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
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"Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
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[3] A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31
Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
  1. [1] Or of Lemuel king of Massa, which
  2. [2] Or / the answer to my prayers
  3. [10] Verses 10-31 are an acrostic, each verse beginning with a successive letter of the Hebrew alphabet.