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What King Lemuel's Mother Taught Him

31 These are the sayings
that King Lemuel of Massa
    was taught by his mother.
My son Lemuel, you were born
in answer to my prayers,
    so listen carefully.
Don't waste your life
chasing after women!
    This has ruined many kings.

Kings and leaders
should not get drunk
    or even want to drink.
Drinking makes you forget
your responsibilities,
    and you mistreat the poor.
Beer and wine are only
for the dying or for those
    who have lost all hope.
Let them drink and forget
how poor and miserable
    they feel.
But you must defend
those who are helpless
    and have no hope.
Be fair and give justice
    to the poor and homeless.

In Praise of a Good Wife

10 A truly good wife
is the most precious treasure
    a man can find!
11 Her husband depends on her,
and she never
    lets him down.
12 She is good to him
    every day of her life,
13 and with her own hands
    she gladly makes clothes.

14 She is like a sailing ship
that brings food
    from across the sea.
15 She gets up before daylight
to prepare food for her family
    and for her servants.[a]
16 She knows how to buy land
and how to plant a vineyard,
17     and she always works hard.
18 She knows when to buy or sell,
and she stays busy
    until late at night.
19 She spins her own cloth,
20 and she helps the poor
    and the needy.
21 Her family has warm clothing,
and so she doesn't worry
    when it snows.
22 She does her own sewing,
and everything she wears
    is beautiful.

23 Her husband is a well-known
and respected leader
    in the city.
24 She makes clothes to sell
    to the shop owners.
25 She is strong and graceful,[b]
as well as cheerful
    about the future.
26 Her words are sensible,
and her advice
    is thoughtful.
27 She takes good care
of her family
    and is never lazy.
28 Her children praise her,
and with great pride
    her husband says,
29 “There are many good women,
    but you are the best!”

30 Charm can be deceiving,
    and beauty fades away,
but a woman
who honors the Lord
    deserves to be praised.
31 Show her respect—
praise her in public
    for what she has done.

Footnotes

  1. 31.15 and … servants: Or “and to tell her servants what to do.”
  2. 31.25 She … graceful: Or “The clothes she makes are attractive and of good quality.”

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