An exhortation to chastity, temperance, and works of mercy; with the praise of a wise woman.
[1] The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
[2] What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
[3] Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
[4] Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
[5] And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
[1] "Lamuel": This name signifies God with him, and is supposed to have been one of the names of Solomon.
[6] Give strong drink to them that are sad: and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
[7] Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
[8] Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
[9] Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
[10] Who shall find a valiant woman? far and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
[11] The heart of her husband trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
[12] She will render him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
[13] She hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
[14] She is like the merchant's ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
[15] And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
[16] She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
[17] She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
[18] She hath tasted and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
[19] She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
[20] She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
[21] She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
[22] She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple is her covering.
[23] Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators of the land.
[24] She made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
[25] Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
[24] "The Chanaanite": The merchant, for Chanaanite, in Hebrew, signifies a merchant.
[26] She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
[27] She hath looked well to the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
[28] Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
[29] Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
[30] Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.
[31] Give her of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
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