en_ulb/20-PRO/31.usfm

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\c 31
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\v 1 The words of King Lemuel—a instruction his mother taught him.
\q
\v 2 What, my son? What is it, son of my womb?
\q What do you want, son of my vows?
\q
\v 3 Do not give your strength to women,
\q or your ways to those who destroy kings.

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\q
\v 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine,
\q nor for rulers to ask, "Where is the strong drink?"
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\v 5 Lest they forget what has been decreed,
\q and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

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\v 6 Give strong drink to a person who is perishing
\q and wine to those in bitter distress.
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\v 7 He will drink and he will forget his poverty
\q and he will not remember his trouble.

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\v 8 Speak for those who cannot speak,
\q for the causes of all who are perishing.
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\v 9 Speak out and judge by the measure of what is right
\q and plead the cause of poor and needy people.
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\q
\v 10 Who can find a capable wife?
\q Her value is far more than jewels.
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\v 11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,
\q and he will never be poor.
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\v 12 She does good things for him and not evil
\q all the days of her life.

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\v 13 She selects wool and flax,
\q and works with the delight of her hands.
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\v 14 She is like the merchant ships;
\q she brings her food from far away.
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\v 15 She rises while it is night
\q and gives food to her household,
\q and she distributes the work for her female servants.

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\q
\v 16 She considers a field and buys it,
\q with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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\v 17 She dresses herself with strength
\q and makes her arms strong.

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\q
\v 18 She perceives what will make a good profit for her;
\q all night long her lamp is not extinguished.
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\v 19 She puts her hands on the spindle,
\q and she holds the twisting thread.

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\v 20 She reaches out with her hand to poor people;
\q she reaches out with her hands to needy people.
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\v 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,
\q for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

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\q
\v 22 She makes coverings for her bed,
\q and she wears clothes of fine purple linen.
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\v 23 Her husband is known at the gates,
\q when he sits with the elders of the land.

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\v 24 She makes linen garments and sells them,
\q and she supplies sashes to the merchants.
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\v 25 She is clothed with strength and honor,
\q and she laughs at the time to come.

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\v 26 She opens her mouth with wisdom
\q and the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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\v 27 She watches over the ways of her household
\q and does not eat the bread of idleness.

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\v 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed,
\q and her husband praises her, saying,
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\v 29 "Many women have done well,
\q but you surpassed them all."

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\v 30 Elegance is deceptive, beauty is vain,
\q but a woman who fears Yahweh, she will be praised.
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\v 31 Give her the fruit of her hands
\q and let her works praise her in the gates.