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A Mother’s Oracle

1The words of King Lemuel, the[†]oracleunto which his mother disciplined him:

2What, O my son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?

3Do not give your excellence to women,

Or your ways to that which blots out kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,

And pervert the justice of all the[†]afflicted.

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing,

And wine to those whose soul is bitter.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty

And he will not remember his trouble any longer.

8Open your mouth for the mute,

For the justice of all those[†]passing away.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And render justice to the afflicted and needy.

A Woman Who Fears Yahweh

10[†]An excellent wife, who can find?

For her worth is far above pearls.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her,

And he will have no lack of gain.

12She deals bountifully with him for good and not evil

All the days of her life.

13She searches for wool and flax

And works with her[†]hands[†]in delight.

14She is like merchant ships;

She brings her food from afar.

15And she rises while it is still night,

And gives[†]food to her household

And a[†]portion to her young women.

16She makes plans for a field and buys it;

From the fruit of her[†]hands she plants a vineyard.

17She girds[†]herself with strength

And makes her arms strong.

18She senses that her gain is good;

Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff,

And her[†]hands hold fast the spindle.

20She[†]extends her hand to the poor,

And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household,

For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes coverings for herself;

Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known in the gates,

When he sits with the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sellsthem,

And gives belts to the[†]tradesmen.

25Strength and majesty are her clothing,

And she smiles at the[†]future.

26She opens her mouth in wisdom,

And the[†]instruction of lovingkindness is on her tongue.

27She watches over the ways of her household,

And does not eat the bread of[†]idleness.

28Her children rise up and bless her;

As for her husband, he also praises her,saying:

29“Many daughters have done excellently,

But you have gone above them all.”

30[†]Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,

But a woman who[†]fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.

31Give to her from the fruit of her hands,

And let her works praise her in the gates.