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¹ The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.² What, my son? and what, O son of my womb, and what, O son of my vows?³ Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.⁴ It is not for kings, O 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 judgment of any that is afflicted.⁶ Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter in soul:⁷ Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.⁸ Open thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are left desolate.⁹ Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister judgment to the poor and needy.

¹⁰ A virtuous woman who can find? for her price is far above rubies.¹¹ The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no lack of gain.¹² She doeth him good and not evil all the days of her life.¹³ She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.¹⁴ She is like the merchant-ships; she bringeth her food from afar.¹⁵ She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and their task to her maidens.¹⁶ She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.¹⁷ She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.¹⁸ She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: her lamp goeth not out by night.¹⁹ She layeth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.²⁰ She spreadeth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; her clothing is fine linen and purple.²³ Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.²⁴ She maketh linen garments and selleth them; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.²⁵ Strength and dignity are her clothing; and she laugheth at the time to come.²⁶ She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and the law of kindness is on her tongue.²⁷ She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.²⁸ Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:²⁹ Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.³⁰ Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.³¹ Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her works praise her in the gates.