Proverbs Chapter 31 (NIV)

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undefined Sayings of King LemuelThe sayings of King Lemuel—an oracle his mother taught him:

undefined “O my son, O son of my womb,O son of my vows,

undefined do not spend your strength on women,your vigor on those who ruin kings.

undefined “It is not for kings, O Lemuel—not for kings to drink wine,not for rulers to crave beer,

undefined lest they drink and forget what the law decrees,and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

undefined Give beer to those who are perishing,wine to those who are in anguish;

undefined let them drink and forget their povertyand remember their misery no more.

undefined “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves,for the rights of all who are destitute.

undefined Speak up and judge fairly;defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

undefined Epilogue: The Wife of Noble CharacterA wife of noble character who can find?She is worth far more than rubies.

undefined Her husband has full confidence in herand lacks nothing of value.

undefined She brings him good, not harm,all the days of her life.

undefined She selects wool and flaxand works with eager hands.

undefined She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from afar.

undefined She gets up while it is still dark;she provides food for her familyand portions for her servant girls.

undefined She considers a field and buys it;out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.

undefined She sets about her work vigorously;her arms are strong for her tasks.

undefined She sees that her trading is profitable,and her lamp does not go out at night.

undefined In her hand she holds the distaffand grasps the spindle with her fingers.

undefined She opens her arms to the poorand extends her hands to the needy.

undefined When it snows, she has no fear for her household;for all of them are clothed in scarlet.

undefined She makes coverings for her bed;she is clothed in fine linen and purple.

undefined Her husband is respected at the city gate,where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.

undefined She makes linen garments and sells them,and supplies the merchants with sashes.

undefined She is clothed with strength and dignity;she can laugh at the days to come.

undefined She speaks with wisdom,and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

undefined She watches over the affairs of her householdand does not eat the bread of idleness.

undefined Her children arise and call her blessed;her husband also, and he praises her:

undefined “Many women do noble things,but you surpass them all.”

undefined Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting;but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.

undefined Give her the reward she has earned,and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.

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