(KJV) Proverbs 31¹

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⥃The Sayings for King Lemuel

[1] The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy² that his³ mother taught him. [2] What, my son? and what, the son of my womb⁴? and what, the son of my vows⁵? [3] Give not thy strength⁶ unto women, nor thy ways to that⁷ which destroyeth kings. [4] [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:⁸ [5] Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert⁹ the judgment of any of the afflicted¹⁰. [6] Give strong¹¹ drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts¹². [7] Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.¹³ [8] Open¹⁴ thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such¹⁵ as are appointed to destruction. [9] Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.¹⁶

⥃The Virtues of a Noble Woman

[10] Who¹⁷ can¹⁸ find a virtuous woman? for her¹⁹ price [is] far above rubies. [11] The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.²⁰ [12] She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.²¹ [13] She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh²² willingly with her hands. [14] She is like the merchants’ ships; she bringeth her food from afar.²³ [15] She riseth²⁴ also while it is yet night, and giveth²⁵ meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. [16] She considereth²⁶ a field, and buyeth²⁷ it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. [17] She girdeth²⁸ her loins with strength, and strengtheneth²⁹ her arms. [18] She perceiveth³⁰ that her merchandise [is] good: her candle³¹ goeth not out by night. [19] She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.³²³³ [20] She stretcheth³⁴ out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth³⁵ forth her hands to the needy. [21] She is not afraid³⁶ of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet³⁷. [22] She maketh herself coverings³⁸ of tapestry; her clothing³⁹ [is] silk⁴⁰ and purple. [23] Her husband⁴¹ is known in the⁴² gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. [24] She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.⁴³ [25] Strength⁴⁴ and honour [are] her clothing; and she⁴⁵ shall rejoice in time to come. [26] She openeth⁴⁶ her mouth with wisdom; and in her⁴⁷ tongue [is] the law of kindness. [27] She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.⁴⁸ [28] Her children⁴⁹ arise up, and call her blessed; her husband⁵⁰ [also], and he praiseth her. [29] Many daughters have done virtuously⁵¹, but thou⁵² excellest them all. [30] Favour⁵³ [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman⁵⁴ [that] feareth the Lord, she⁵⁵ shall be praised. [31] Give her of the⁵⁶ fruit of her hands; and let⁵⁷ her own works praise her in the gates.