31 : 1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
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31 : 2 What are you doing, my son?What are you doing,son of my womb?What are you doing,son of my vows?
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31 : 3 Donot give your strength to women,your ways to thosewho destroy kings.
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31 : 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,it is not for kingsto drink wine,or for rulers to takestrong drink,
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31 : 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreedandpervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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31 : 6 Give strong drink to the one whois perishing,and wine tothose in bitter distress;
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31 : 7 let them drink and forget their povertyand remember their misery no more.
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31 : 8 Open your mouth for the mute,for the rights of all who are destitute.
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31 : 9 Open your mouth,judge righteously,defend the rights ofthe poor and needy.
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31 : 10 An excellent wife who can find?She is far more precious thanjewels.
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31 : 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will have no lack of gain.
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31 : 12 She does him good, and not harm,all the days of her life.
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31 : 13 Sheseeks wool and flax,and works with willing hands.
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31 : 14 She is like the ships of the merchant;she brings her food from afar.
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31 : 15 Sherises while it is yet nightandprovides food for her householdand portions for her maidens.
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31 : 16 She considers a field and buys it;with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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31 : 17 Shedresses herselfwith strengthand makes her arms strong.
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31 : 18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable.Her lamp does not go out at night.
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31 : 19 She puts her hands to the distaff,and her hands hold the spindle.
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31 : 20 Sheopens her hand tothe poorand reaches out her hands tothe needy.
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31 : 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household,for all her household are clothed inscarlet.
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31 : 22 She makesbed coverings for herself;her clothing isfine linen andpurple.
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31 : 23 Her husband is known inthe gateswhen he sits among the elders of the land.
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31 : 24 She makeslinen garments and sells them;she delivers sashes to the merchant.
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31 : 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing,and she laughs at the time to come.
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31 : 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom,and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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31 : 27 She looks well to the ways of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.
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31 : 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:
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31 : 29 Manywomen have doneexcellently,but you surpass them all.
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31 : 30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain,but a woman who fears theLordis to be praised.
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31 : 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands,and let her works praise her in the gates.
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