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My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
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What will you keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to you: what? son of my womb? what? * son of my vows?
3
Give not your wealth to women, nor your mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
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Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
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lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
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Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
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that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
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Open your mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
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Open your mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
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Who shall find a virtuous woman? For such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her: Such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
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For she employs all her living for her husband’s good.
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Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
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She is like a ship trading from a distance: So she procures her livelihood.
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And she rises by night, And gives food to her household, And appointed tasks to her maidens.
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She views a farm, and buys it: And with the fruit of her hands she plants a possession.
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She strongly girds her loins, And strengthens her arms for work.
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And she finds by experience that working is good; And her candle goes not out all night.
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She reaches forth her arms to needful works, And applies her hands to the spindle.
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And she opens her hands to the needy, And reaches out fruit to the poor.
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Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: For all her household are clothed.
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She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, And garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
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And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, When he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land.
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She makes fine linens, And sells girdles to the Canaanites: She opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, And controls her tongue.
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She puts on strength and honor; And rejoices in the last days.
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The ways of her household are careful, And she eats not the bread of idleness.
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But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
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And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, And her husband praises her.
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Many daughters have obtained wealth, Many have wrought valiantly; But thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
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Charms are false, and woman’s beauty is vain: For it is a wise woman that is blessed, And let her praise the fear of the Lord.
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Give her of the fruit of her lips; And let her husband be praised in the gates.