| 章 |
| 31:1 |
The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him.
|
| 31:2 |
What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
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| 31:3 |
Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
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| 31:4 |
It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
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| 31:5 |
Lest they drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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| 31:6 |
Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
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| 31:7 |
Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.
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| 31:8 |
Open your mouth for the dumb, For the rights of all the unfortunate.
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| 31:9 |
Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
|
| 31:10 |
An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
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| 31:11 |
The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
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| 31:12 |
She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
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| 31:13 |
She looks for wool and flax, And works with her hands in delight.
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| 31:14 |
She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
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| 31:15 |
She rises also while it is still night, And gives food to her household, And portions to her maidens.
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| 31:16 |
She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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| 31:17 |
She girds herself with strength, And makes her arms strong.
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| 31:18 |
She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
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| 31:19 |
She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
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| 31:20 |
She extends her hand to the poor; And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
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| 31:21 |
She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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| 31:22 |
She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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| 31:23 |
Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
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| 31:24 |
She makes linen garments and sells [them], And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
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| 31:25 |
Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
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| 31:26 |
She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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| 31:27 |
She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
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| 31:28 |
Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband [also], and he praises her, [saying]:
|
| 31:29 |
"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
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| 31:30 |
Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, [But] a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
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| 31:31 |
Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
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