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25 The ants are a people, not strong;

Yet do they prepare in the summer their food. 26 The jerboas are a people, not mighty;

Yet do they make their houses in the rock. 27 The locusts have no king;

Yet do they all go forth in order.

28 The lizard taketh hold with its hands, And it is in the palaces of kings!

29 These three things are stately in their step, Yea, four are stately in their walk

30 The lion, mightiest of beasts,

Which turneth not back at the appearance of anything! 31 The horse, girded about the loins, and the he-goat, A king also, whose people are with him.

32 If thou hast been foolish in lifting thyself up, Yea, if thou hast formed wicked devices;

Place thy hand upon thy mouth.

33 For as the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood; So contracting the nostrils bringeth forth contention.

25 prepare for their use during the

winter. Compare vi. 8. Note.

26 rock-Compare Ps. civ. 18.

27 in order - Heb. divided. i. e. into orderly companies.

28 taketh hold &c.—i. e. This small ani

mal has the power of supporting itself, by its feet, upon the walls and ceilings of houses.

And it is &c.-i. e. In pursuit of its ordinary prey, flies and spiders, it is

permitted to enter even the palaces of kings.

31 girded about the loinsi. e. caparisoned for battle.

32 lifted up-i.e. elated with pride.

Place &c.-i. e. Check, and give no utterance to, your presumption and wickedness.

33 contracting the nostrils &c. i. e. Any indication of anger leads to yet greater violence.

THE WORDS OF KING LEMUEL.

A DECLARATION

OF THAT WHICH HIS MOTHER TAUGHT HIM.

2

What, O my son-and what, O son of my womb"Yea what, O son of my vows, shall I say unto thee?

3 "Give not thy strength unto women,

"Nor direct thy course to that, which destroyeth kings.

4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel

5

"It is not for kings, to drink wine,

"Nor for rulers to desire strong drink;

"Lest they drink, and forget that which is decreed,

"And pervert the cause of any of the afflicted.

6 "Give ye strong drink unto him, who is ready to perish, "And wine unto him, who is grieving in bitterness of soul.

7

“Let him drink, that he may forget his poverty,

"And remember his misery no more.

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8"Open thy mouth for the dumb"In the cause of the stranger.

9

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Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

"And maintain the cause of the poor and needy."

The character of a good and faithful wife delineated.

10 Who can find a virtuous wife? Her value is far above pearls!

11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he is in no want of household substance.

12 She doeth good unto him, and not evil, All the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool and flax,

And she worketh willingly with her hands.

14 She is like the ships of a merchant; She bringeth in provision from afar.

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sitions, consult Ps. xxxvii. Note. 10 who can find? See xx. 6. and Note 2.

a virtuous wife-i.e. one, whose conduct is irreproachable, and who is at the same time possessed of all those domestic virtues which form the subject of the following verses. 11 trusteth in heri.e. he leaves, in full confidence, all the concerns of his family to her care and management. in no wanti.e. she shows herself in every respect worthy of her husband's confidence, and provides every thing necessary for the good of their household.

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14 provision Heb. her food.

15 She ariseth, while it is yet night,

And giveth food to her family,

And a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth about a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands, she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

And she nerveth her arms.

18 She is sensible that her traffic is profitable; Her lamp is not extinguished in the night.

19 She putteth forth her hands to the spindle, And her hands lay hold on the distaff.

20 She spreadeth out her hand to the poor,

Yea, she putteth forth her hands to the needy.

21 She hath no fear for her family, by reason of the snow, For all her family are clothed in scarlet.

22 She maketh coverings for her bed;

Her clothing is of fine linen and purple.

23 Her husband is known in the gates,
When he sitteth with the elders of the land.

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24 She maketh linen and selleth it,

And she delivereth girdles to the merchant.

25 Her clothing is strength and glory;

She laugheth at the days which are to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom,

And the law of kindness is upon her tongue.

27 She looketh well to the conduct of her family, And she eateth not the bread of sloth.

28 Her children rise up and bless her, Her husband, and praiseth her:

29

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(saying)

Many daughters have been virtuous; "But thou hast excelled them all!"

30 Gracefulness is vain, and beauty fallacious; But the woman, who reverenceth JEHOVAH She shall be praised!

31 Give ye unto her of the fruit of her hands, And let her deeds praise her in the gates!

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