Proverbs 31
Admonitions to a
King |
1 |
The words of king Lem'u-el, the prophecy
that his mother taught him.
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2 |
What, my son?
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And what, the son of my womb? |
And what, the son of my
vows? |
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3 |
Give not thy strength unto women,
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nor thy ways to that which destroyeth
kings. |
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4 |
It is not for kings, O
Lem'u-el,
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it is not for kings to drink wine; |
nor for princes strong
drink: |
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5 |
lest they drink, and forget the law,
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and pervert the judgment of any of the
afflicted. |
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6 |
Give strong drink unto him that is ready
to perish,
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and wine unto those that be of heavy
hearts. |
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7 |
Let him drink, and forget his
poverty,
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and remember his misery no
more. |
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8 |
Open thy mouth for the dumb
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in the cause of all such as are appointed to
destruction. |
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9 |
Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
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and plead the cause of the poor and
needy. |
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Praise of a Good
Woman |
10 |
Who can find a virtuous woman?
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For her price is far above
rubies. |
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11 |
The heart of her husband doth safely
trust in her,
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so that he shall have no need of
spoil. |
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12 |
She will do him good and not evil
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all the days of her
life. |
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13 |
She seeketh wool, and flax,
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and worketh willingly with her
hands. |
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14 |
She is like the merchants' ships;
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she bringeth her food from
afar. |
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15 |
She riseth also while it is yet
night,
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and giveth meat to her household, |
and a portion to her
maidens. |
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16 |
She considereth a field, and buyeth
it:
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with the fruit of her hands she planteth a
vineyard. |
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17 |
She girdeth her loins with strength,
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and strengtheneth her
arms. |
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18 |
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
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her candle goeth not out by
night. |
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19 |
She layeth her hands to the spindle,
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and her hands hold the
distaff. |
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20 |
She stretcheth our her hand to the
poor;
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yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the
needy. |
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21 |
She is not afraid of the snow for her
household:
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for all her household are clothed with
scarlet. |
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22 |
She maketh herself coverings of
tapestry;
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her clothing is silk and
purple. |
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23 |
Her husband is known in the gates,
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when he sitteth among the elders of the
land. |
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24 |
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
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and delivereth girdles unto the
merchant. |
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25 |
Strength and honor are her
clothing;
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and she shall rejoice in time to
come. |
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26 |
She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
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and in her tongue is the law of
kindness. |
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27 |
She looketh well to the ways of her
household,
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and eateth not the bread of
idleness. |
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28 |
Her children arise up, and call her
blessed;
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her husband also, and he praiseth
her. |
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29 |
Many daughters have done virtuously,
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but thou excellest them
all. |
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30 |
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
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but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be
praised. |
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31 |
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
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and let her own works praise her in the
gates. |
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