Admonitions to a King |
| 1 |
The words of king Lem'u-el, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
|
| 2 |
What, my son?
| | |
And what, the son of my womb? |
|
And what, the son of my vows? |
|
|
| 3 |
Give not thy strength unto women,
| | |
nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. |
|
|
| 4 |
It is not for kings, O Lem'u-el,
| | |
it is not for kings to drink wine; |
|
nor for princes strong drink: |
|
|
| 5 |
lest they drink, and forget the law,
| | |
and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. |
|
|
| 6 |
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
| | |
and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. |
|
|
| 7 |
Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
| | |
and remember his misery no more. |
|
|
| 8 |
Open thy mouth for the dumb
| | |
in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. |
|
|
| 9 |
Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
| | |
and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
|
|
Praise of a Good Woman |
| 10 |
Who can find a virtuous woman?
| | |
For her price is far above rubies. |
|
|
| 11 |
The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her,
| | |
so that he shall have no need of spoil. |
|
|
| 12 |
She will do him good and not evil
| | |
all the days of her life. |
|
|
| 13 |
She seeketh wool, and flax,
| | |
and worketh willingly with her hands. |
|
|
| 14 |
She is like the merchants' ships;
| | |
she bringeth her food from afar. |
|
|
| 15 |
She riseth also while it is yet night,
| | |
and giveth meat to her household, |
|
and a portion to her maidens. |
|
|
| 16 |
She considereth a field, and buyeth it:
| | |
with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
|
|
| 17 |
She girdeth her loins with strength,
| | |
and strengtheneth her arms. |
|
|
| 18 |
She perceiveth that her merchandise is good:
| | |
her candle goeth not out by night. |
|
|
| 19 |
She layeth her hands to the spindle,
| | |
and her hands hold the distaff. |
|
|
| 20 |
She stretcheth our her hand to the poor;
| | |
yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
|
|
| 21 |
She is not afraid of the snow for her household:
| | |
for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
|
|
| 22 |
She maketh herself coverings of tapestry;
| | |
her clothing is silk and purple. |
|
|
| 23 |
Her husband is known in the gates,
| | |
when he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
|
|
| 24 |
She maketh fine linen, and selleth it;
| | |
and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
|
|
| 25 |
Strength and honor are her clothing;
| | |
and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
|
|
| 26 |
She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
| | |
and in her tongue is the law of kindness. |
|
|
| 27 |
She looketh well to the ways of her household,
| | |
and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
|
|
| 28 |
Her children arise up, and call her blessed;
| | |
her husband also, and he praiseth her. |
|
|
| 29 |
Many daughters have done virtuously,
| | |
but thou excellest them all. |
|
|
| 30 |
Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain:
| | |
but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. |
|
|
| 31 |
Give her of the fruit of her hands;
| | |
and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
|
|
|
