| Scripture |
Expanded Comments |
| 1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that 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 them that destroy kings. |
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| 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? |
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| 5 --lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction. |
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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. |
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, for the cause of all those that are left desolate. |
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| 9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy. |
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| 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
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| 11 The heart of her husband confideth in her, and he shall have no lack of spoil. |
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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 merchants' ships: she bringeth her food from afar; |
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| 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
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| 16 She considereth a field, and acquireth it; of 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 earning is good; her lamp goeth not out by night.
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| 19 She putteth her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
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| 20 She stretcheth out her hand to the afflicted, and 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 herself coverlets; her clothing is byssus 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 body linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
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| 25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laugheth at the coming day. |
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| 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and upon her tongue is the law of kindness. |
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| 27 She surveyeth 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: |
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| 29 Many daughters have done worthily, but thou excellest them all. |
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| 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
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| 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
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