2.8 KiB
A Mother's Oracle
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The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
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What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
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Do not give your excellence to women, Or your ways to that which blots out kings.
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
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Lest he drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
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Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those whose soul is bitter.
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Let him drink and forget his poverty And he will not remember his trouble any longer.
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Open your mouth for the mute, For the justice of all those passing away.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, And render justice to the afflicted and needy.
A Woman Who Fears Yahweh
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An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above pearls.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
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She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil All the days of her life.
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She searches for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
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She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
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And she rises while it is still night, And gives food to her household And a portion to her young women.
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She makes plans for a field and buys it; From the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
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She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold fast the spindle.
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She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
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She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits with the elders of the land.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, And gives belts to the tradesmen.
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Strength and majesty are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.
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She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.
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She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
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Her children rise up and bless her; As for her husband, he also praises her, saying:
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"Many daughters have done excellently, But you have gone above them all."
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Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
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Give to her from the fruit of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.