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The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:
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What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows?
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Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.
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Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:
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let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.
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Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.
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Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies.
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The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil.
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She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
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She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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She is like the merchants` ships: she bringeth her food from afar;
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She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms.
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She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
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She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple.
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Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth [at] the coming day.
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She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her:
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Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all.
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Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman [that] feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates.