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30 The prophecy the warrior spoke to Ithiel - to Ithiel and Ucal:
2 Surely, I am more foolish than any man, and have not the understanding of a man in me.
3 For I have not learned wisdom, nor attained to the knowledge of holy things.
4 Who has ascended up to Heaven, and descended? Who has gathered the wind in His fist? Who has bound the waters in a garment? Who has established all the ends of the world? What is His name, and what is His Son’s name, if you can tell?
5 Every Word of God is pure. He is a shield to those who trust in Him.
6 Add nothing to His words, lest He rebuke you, and you be found a liar.
7 Two things have I required of you. Do not deny me them before I die.
8 Remove far from me vanity and lies. Give me neither poverty nor riches. Feed me with food prescribed to me;
9 lest I be full and deny, saying, “Who is the LORD?” or lest I be poor and steal, and manipulate the Name of my God.
10 Do not accuse a servant to his master, lest he curse you and you are found guilty.
11 A generation curses their father and does not bless their mother.
12 A generation are pure in their own eyes, and are not washed from their filthiness.
13 A generation’s eyes are haughty, and their eye lids are lifted up.
14 A generation’s teeth are as swords, and their incisors as knives, to devour the poor from off the Earth, and the needy from among man.
15 The leech has two daughters who cry, “Give! Give!” There are three things that will not be satisfied; four that do not say, “It is enough”:
16 The grave, the barren womb, the Earth that cannot be satisfied with water, and the fire that does not say, “It is enough.”
17 The eye that mocks its father, and despises the instruction of its mother, let the ravens of the valley pick it out; and the young eagles eat it.
18 There are three things hidden from me. Indeed, four that I do not know:
19 The way of an eagle in the air, the way of a serpent upon a stone, the way of a ship in the midst of the sea, and the way of a man with a maid.
20 Such is also the way of an adulterous woman. She eats and wipes her mouth, and says, “I have done no wickedness.”
21 For three things the Earth is moved. Indeed, for four it cannot sustain itself:
22 for a servant when he reigns, a fool when he is filled with meat,
23 for the hateful woman when she is married, and for a handmaid that is heir to her mistress.
24 These are four small things on the Earth, yet they are wise and full of wisdom:
25 The ants, a people not strong, yet they prepare their food in summer:
26 The hyrax, a people not mighty, yet they make their houses in the rock.
27 The locust has no king, yet they all go forth by ranks.
28 The spider takes hold with its hands; and is in king’s palaces.
29 There are three things that order well their going. Indeed, four are stately in going:
30 A lion (which is strong among beasts and does not turn at the sight of any),
31 a lusty greyhound, a goat, and a king against whom there is no rising up.
32 If you have been foolish in lifting yourself up. And if you have thought wickedly. Lay your hand upon your mouth.
33 When one churns milk, he brings forth butter. And he who squeezes his nose causes blood to come out. So, he who forces wrath brings forth strife.
31 THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL: The prophecy which his mother taught him.
2 What, my son?! And what, the son of my womb?! And what, O son of my desires?!
3 Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine, nor for princes strong drink.
5 Lest he drink and forget the decree; and change the judgment of all the children of affliction.
6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to those who have grief of heart.
7 Let him drink, that he may forget his poverty; and remember his misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute in the cause of all the children of destruction.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and plead for the afflicted and the poor.10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her. And he shall have no need of plunder.
12 She will do him good, and not evil, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and linen, and labors cheerfully with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of merchants. She brings her food from afar.
15 And she rises while it is still night; and gives food to her household, and a portion to her maids.
16 She considers a field and acquires it. With the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, and strengthens her arms.
18 She feels that her merchandise is good. Her candle is not put out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the wheel, and her hands handle the spindle.
20 She stretches out her hand to the poor, and puts forth her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear the snow for her family. For all her family is clothed with crimson.
22 She makes herself carpets. Fine linen and purple are her garments.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; and delivers belts to the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing. And in the coming days she shall rejoice.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom. And the law of grace is in her tongue.
27 She oversees the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise and call her blessed; her husband also. He praises her, saying,
29 “Many daughters have done virtuously. But you exceed them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful; and beauty but a vapor. But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands. And let her own works praise her in the gates.
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