| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him: |
|
| 2 What, my son? and what, O son of my womb? and what, O son of my vows? |
|
| 3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. |
|
| 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is the strong drink? |
|
| 5 --lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. |
|
| 6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul: |
|
| 7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
Forget his poverty – This advice of King Lemuel is contrary to true wisdom. R1521:4
|
| 8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. |
|
| 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy. |
|
| 10 Who can find a woman of worth? for her price is far above rubies. |
A virtuous woman – Uninspired, not by Solomon, and not at all the present ideal. R1520:3
|
| 11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. |
|
| 12 She doeth him good, and not evil, all the days of her life. |
|
| 13 She seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. |
|
| 14 She is like the merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar; |
|
| 15 And she riseth while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and the day's work to her maidens. |
While It Is yet night – This is an extreme view by an uninspired pen. R1521:1
|
| 16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
|
| 17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and maketh strong her arms. |
|
| 18 She perceiveth that her earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night. |
|
| 19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
|
| 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
|
| 21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household; for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
|
| 22 She maketh herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus and purple. |
|
| 23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
|
| 24 She maketh body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
|
| 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth at the coming day. |
|
| 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. |
|
| 27 She surveyeth the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
|
| 28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her: |
|
| 29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. |
|
| 30 Gracefulness is deceitful and beauty is vain; a woman that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised. |
Vain – A breath. R1520:3
Feareth – Reverenceth. R1520:3
|
| 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
|