1Lemuel's lesson of temperance and chastity. 6The afflicted are to be comforted, and the poor defended. 10The praise and properties of a virtuous woman.
1THE words of king aLemuel, the 1prophecy that his bmother taught him.
1Heb. burden, ch. 30.1. Is. 13.1; 21.1; 22.1. Na. 1.1.
a v.4. ch. 10.1. b 2Ti. 1.5; 3.15. ch. 1.8; 6.20.
2cWhat, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
c 1Sa. 1.28. Is. 49.15.
3dGive not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways eto that which destroyeth kings.
d ch. 5.9; 6.26; 7.26. Ho. 4.11,18. e De. 17.17. 1Ki. 11.1.
4It is fnot for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
f Ec. 10.17. Ho. 7.5. Hab. 2.5.
5gLest they drink, and forget the law, and 2pervert the judgment 3of any of the afflicted.
2Heb. alter.
3Heb. of all the sons of affliction.
g Ho. 4.11. Le. 10.9. De. 17.18.
6hGive strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be 4of heavy hearts.
4Heb. bitter of soul, 1Sa. 1.10.
h Ps. 104.15. 1Ti. 5.23. Ju. 9.13.
7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8iOpen thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all 5such as are appointed to destruction.
5Heb. the sons of destruction.
i Job 29.15,16. Ps. 82.3,4; 79.11. 1Sa. 19.4. Es. 4.16.
9Open thy mouth, jjudge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
j Job 29.15,16. Is. 1.17. Le. 19.15. Ps. 58.1. De. 1.16. Is. 11.4. Zec. 7.9,10. Je. 22.3,16.
10ΒΆkWho can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
k ch. 12.4; 18.22; 19.14. Ec. 7.28. Re. 12.1. Ca. 6.8,9.
11The lheart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
l Ep. 5.23. Ac. 13.22. Lu. 1.6. 1Pe. 3.1-7.
12She mwill do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
m 1Pe. 3.1,6. 1Co. 1.31; 10.31. 2Co. 13.8. Ps. 45.11. Ro. 14.8.
13She nseeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
n Tit. 2.5. Phi. 2.12. 2Th. 3.12. Ps. 110.3.
14She ois like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
o Mat. 13.45. Col. 3.1.
15She priseth also while it is yet night, and giveth *meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
*meat-food of any kind.
p Ro. 12.11. Lu. 12.42. Ac. 20.28. 2Ti. 4.2.
16She qconsidereth a field, and 6buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
6Heb. taketh.
q Jos. 15.18,19. Mat. 13.44. Ca. 8.12; 4.16.
17She rgirdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
r 1Pe. 1.13. 1Co. 16.13. Ep. 6.10. 2Ti. 2.1. Phi. 4.13.
18She 7perceiveth that her merchandise is good: sher candle goeth not out by night.
7Heb. tasteth.
s Mat. 5.16; 25.4. Phi. 2.15,16. Jn. 12.36.
19She tlayeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the *distaff.
*distaff-rod to hold wool for hand-spinning.
t Ex. 35.25,26. Tit. 2.12-14; 3.8.
20She ustretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, 8she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
8Heb. she spreadeth.
u Ps. 41.1. ch. 19.17. He. 13.16.
21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with 9scarlet.
9Or, double garments.
22She vmaketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
v 1Pe. 3.3,4. Ro. 13.14. 2Co. 1.12. Ac. 24.16.
23Her husband is known win the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
w De. 16.18; 21.19; 22.24. Job 29.7. Mat. 19.28. Ru. 3.11; 4.1,2.
24She xmaketh fine linen, and selleth it ; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
x Re. 3.18; 19.8. v.13,19. Ep. 6.14,15.
25yStrength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
y v.18. Ps. 132.16. Is. 12.1-6; 35.10; 60; 62.
26She zopeneth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
z 1Pe. 3.1-6. Ps. 37.30. Col. 3.14; 4.6. 1Co. 13.3. Ep. 4.29; 5.2,3. Ca. 4.11; 7.9.
27She alooketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
a 1Ti. 5.8,14. 1Th. 4.11. 2Th. 3.12. Jn. 6.27. 1Co. 15.58.
28Her bchildren arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also , and he praiseth her.
b 1Ki. 2.19; 10.8. Ga. 4.26. Ca. 6.8,9. Lu. 1.28,29.
29Many daughters 10have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
10Or, have gotten riches.
30cFavour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but da woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
c Ps. 103.15,16. Ja. 1.11. Is. 40.6. d Ec. 7.18; 12.13. Ps. 112.1-9; 128.1,2. Is. 3.10.
31eGive her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
e Mat. 7.16-20. Ps. 128.2. Re. 14.13. 1Th. 2.10. 2Co. 1.12. Phi. 2.12,15,16.