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The words of king Lamuel. The vision by which his mother instructed him:
Old Testament
Proverbs 31
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"What, O my beloved? What, O beloved of my womb? What, O beloved of my vows?
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Do not give your substance to women, or your riches to overthrow kings.
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Not to kings, O Lamuel, not to kings give wine. For there are no secrets where drunkenness reigns.
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And perhaps they may drink and forget judgments, and alter the case of the sons of the poor.
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Give strong drink to the grieving, and wine to those who are bitter in soul.
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Let them drink, and forget their needs, and remember their sorrow no more.
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Open your mouth for the mute and for all the cases of the sons who are passing through.
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Open your mouth, declare what is just, and do justice to the indigent and the poor.
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Who shall find a strong woman? Far away, and from the furthest parts, is her price.
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The heart of her husband confides in her, and he will not be deprived of spoils.
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She will repay him with good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
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She has sought wool and flax, and she has worked these by the counsel of her hands.
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She has become like a merchant's ship, bringing her bread from far away.
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And she has risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and provisions to her maids.
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She has considered a field and bought it. From the fruit of her own hands, she has planted a vineyard.
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She has wrapped her waist with fortitude, and she has strengthened her arm.
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She has tasted and seen that her tasks are good; her lamp shall not be extinguished at night.
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She has put her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
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She has opened her hand to the needy, and she has extended her hands to the poor.
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She shall not fear, in the cold of snow, for her household. For all those of her household have been clothed two-fold.
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She has made embroidered clothing for herself. Fine linen and purple is her garment.
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Her husband is noble at the gates, when he sits among the senators of the land.
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She has made finely woven cloth and sold it, and she has delivered a waistband to the Canaanite.
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Strength and elegance are her clothing, and she will laugh in the final days.
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She has opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
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She has considered the paths of her household, and she has not eaten her bread in idleness.
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Her sons rose up and predicted great happiness; her husband rose up and praised her.
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Many daughters have gathered together riches; you have surpassed them all.
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Charm is false, and beauty is vain. The woman who fears the Lord, the same shall be praised.
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Give to her from the fruit of her own hands. And let her works praise her at the gates.