64 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
64 lines
2.6 KiB
Markdown
# Chapter 31
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1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
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2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb?
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What are you doing, son of my vows?
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3 Do not give your strength to women,
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your ways to those who destroy kings.
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4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
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it is not for kings to drink wine,
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or for rulers to take strong drink,
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5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
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and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
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and wine to those in bitter distress;
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7 let them drink and forget their poverty
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and remember their misery no more.
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8 Open your mouth for the mute,
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for the rights of all who are destitute.
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9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
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defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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10 An excellent wife who can find?
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She is far more precious than jewels.
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11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
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and he will have no lack of gain.
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12 She does him good, and not harm,
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all the days of her life.
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13 She seeks wool and flax,
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and works with willing hands.
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14 She is like the ships of the merchant;
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she brings her food from afar.
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15 She rises while it is yet night
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and provides food for her household
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and portions for her maidens.
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16 She considers a field and buys it;
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with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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17 She dresses herself with strength
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and makes her arms strong.
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18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.
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Her lamp does not go out at night.
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19 She puts her hands to the distaff,
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and her hands hold the spindle.
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20 She opens her hand to the poor
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and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,
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for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
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22 She makes bed coverings for herself;
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her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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23 Her husband is known in the gates
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when he sits among the elders of the land.
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24 She makes linen garments and sells them;
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she delivers sashes to the merchant.
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25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,
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and she laughs at the time to come.
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26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,
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and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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27 She looks well to the ways of her household
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and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;
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her husband also, and he praises her:
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29 “Many women have done excellently,
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but you surpass them all.”
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30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,
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but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,
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and let her works praise her in the gates. |