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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.
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