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| 1. | The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him. |
| 2. | "Oh, my son! Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows! |
| 3. | Don't give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which destroys kings. |
| 4. | It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?' |
| 5. | lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted. |
| 6. | Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul: |
| 7. | Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
| 8. | Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate. |
| 9. | Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy." |
| 10. | {Proverbs 31:10-31 form an acrostic, with each verse starting with each letter of the Hebrew alphabet, in order.}Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies. |
| 11. | The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain. |
| 12. | She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13. | She seeks wool and flax, and works eagerly with her hands. |
| 14. | She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar. |
| 15. | She rises also while it is yet night, gives food to her household, and portions for her servant girls. |
| 16. | She considers a field, and buys it. With the fruit of her hands, she plants a vineyard. |
| 17. | She girds her waist with strength, and makes her arms strong. |
| 18. | She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night. |
| 19. | She lays her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
| 20. | She opens her arms to the poor; yes, she extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21. | She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22. | She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23. | Her husband is respected in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24. | She makes linen garments and sells them, and delivers sashes to the merchant. |
| 25. | Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come. |
| 26. | She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27. | She looks well to the ways of her household, and doesn't eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28. | Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her: |
| 29. | "Many women do noble things, but you excel them all." |
| 30. | Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised. |
| 31. | Give her of the fruit of her hands! Let her works praise her in the gates! |