1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
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What, my son?
And what, son of my womb?
And what, a son of my vows?
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b Do not give your strength to women,
Nor your ways c to that which destroys kings.
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d It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
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e Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all 1 the afflicted.
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f Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
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Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
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g Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are 2 appointed to die.
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Open your mouth, h judge righteously,
And i plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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j Who 3 can find a 4 virtuous 5 wife?
For her worth is far above rubies.
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The heart of her husband safely trusts her;
So he will have no lack of gain.
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She does him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
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She seeks wool and flax,
And willingly works with her hands.
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She is like the merchant ships,
She brings her food from afar.
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k She also rises while it is yet night,
And l provides food for her household,
And a portion for her maidservants.
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She considers a field and buys it;
From 6 her profits she plants a vineyard.
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She girds herself with strength,
And strengthens her arms.
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She perceives that her merchandise is good,
And her lamp does not go out by night.
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She stretches out her hands to the distaff,
And her hand holds the spindle.
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m She extends her hand to the poor,
Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
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She is not afraid of snow for her household,
For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
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She makes tapestry for herself;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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n Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sits among the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them,
And supplies sashes for the merchants.
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Strength and honor are her clothing;
She shall rejoice in time to come.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom,
And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She watches over the ways of her household,
And does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praises her:
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"Many daughters have done well,
But you excel them all."
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Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing,
But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands,
And let her own works praise her in the gates.