📖 Proverbs 31
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The Words of Lemuel The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:
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O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
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Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings.
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
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lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.
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Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;
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let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
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Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.
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Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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The Wife of Noble Character Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.
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Her husband’s heart has trusted her, and he does not lack the dividends.
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She has rewarded him with good and not harm all the days of her life.
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She sought out wool and flax, then worked happily with her hands.
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She was like the merchant ships; she would bring in her food from afar.
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Then she rose while it was still night, and provided food for her household and a portion to her female servants.
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She considered a field and bought it; from her own income she planted a vineyard.
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She clothed herself in might, and she strengthened her arms.
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She perceived that her merchandise was good. Her lamp would not go out in the night.
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She extended her hands to the spool, and her hands grasped the spindle.
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She opened her hand to the poor, and extended her hands to the needy.
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She would not fear for her household in winter, because all of her household were clothed with scarlet,
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because she had made coverings for herself; and because her clothing was fine linen and purple.
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Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.
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She made linen garments then sold them, and traded belts to the merchants;
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her clothing was strong and splendid; and she laughed at the time to come.
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She has opened her mouth with wisdom, with loving instruction on her tongue.
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Watching over the ways of her household, she would not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children have risen and called her blessed; her husband also has praised her:
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“Many daughters have done valiantly, but you have surpassed them all!”
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Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting. A woman who fears the LORD– she makes herself praiseworthy.
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Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.