| [an error occurred while processing this directive] | NET Bible |
| 1[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: |
| 2[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins 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, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. |
| 6[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; |
| 7[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. |
| 8[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. |
| 9[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 10[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. |
| 11[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. |
| 12[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| 13[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. |
| 14[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. |
| 15[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants. |
| 16[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. |
| 17[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. |
| 18[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. |
| 19[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. |
| 20[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. |
| 21[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. |
| 24[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. |
| 26[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 27She watches over the ways 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 also praises her: |
| 29[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" |
| 30[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. |
| 31[an error occurred while processing this directive] | 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. |
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