1
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The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
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2
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What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
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3
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Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
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4
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Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
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5
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And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
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6
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Give strong drink to them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
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7
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Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
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8
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Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
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9
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Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
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10
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Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
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11
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The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
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12
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She will render him good, and not evil all the days of her life.
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13
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She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
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14
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She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
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15
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And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
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16
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She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
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17
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She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
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18
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She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
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19
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She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
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20
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She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
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21
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She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
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22
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She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.
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23
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Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
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24
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She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
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25
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Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
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26
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She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
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27
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She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
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28
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Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
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29
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Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
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30
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Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
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31
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Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
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