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[1]My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed. |
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[2]What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows? |
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[3]Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel. |
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[4]Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine: |
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[5]lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly. |
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[6]Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain: |
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[7]that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more. |
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[8]Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly. |
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[9]Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak. |
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[10]Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones. |
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[11]The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils. |
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[12]For she employs all her living for her husband's good. |
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[13]Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands. |
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[14]She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood. |
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[15]And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens. |
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[16]She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession. |
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[17]She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work. |
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[18]And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night. |
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[19]She reaches forth her arms to needful works, and applies her hands to the spindle. |
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[20]And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor. |
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[21]Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed. |
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[22]She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet. |
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[23]And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land. |
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[24]She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue. |
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[25]She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days. |
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[26]But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law. |
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[27]The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness. |
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[28]And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her. |
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[29]Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all. |
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[30]Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord. |
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[31]Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates. |