| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | Berean Study Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
| 4[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, |
| 5[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. |
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