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1 The words of king Lemuel; the burden which his mother taught him.
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2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb?
And what, O son of my vows?
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3 Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
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4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?
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5 Lest they drink, and forget the law,
And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.
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6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
And wine unto the bitter of soul:
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7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
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Forget his poverty – This advice of King Lemuel is contrary to true wisdom. R1521:4
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8 Open thy mouth for the dumb,
In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
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9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And minister justice to the poor and needy.
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10 A worthy woman who can find?
For her price is far above rubies.
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A virtuous woman – Uninspired, not by Solomon, and not at all the present ideal. R1520:3
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11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her,
And he shall have no lack of gain.
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12 She doeth him good and not evil
All the days of her life.
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13 She seeketh wool and flax,
And worketh willingly with her hands.
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14 She is like the merchant-ships;
She bringeth her bread from afar.
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15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth food to her household,
And their task to her maidens.
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While It Is yet night – This is an extreme view by an uninspired pen. R1521:1
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16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it;
With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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17 She girdeth her loins with strength,
And maketh strong her arms.
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18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable:
Her lamp goeth not out in the night.
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19 She layeth her hands to the distaff,
And her hands hold the spindle.
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20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;
Yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household;
For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
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22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry;
Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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24 She maketh linen garments and selleth them,
And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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25 Strength and dignity are her clothing;
And she laugheth at the time to come.
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26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom;
And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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27 She looketh well to the ways of her household,
And eateth not the bread of idleness.
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28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed;
Her husband also, and he praiseth her, saying:
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29 Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excellest them all.
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30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain;
But a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.
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Vain – A breath. R1520:3
Feareth – Reverenceth. R1520:3
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31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;
And let her works praise her in the gates. |
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