24 There are four things which are little upon the

earth;

But they are exceeding wise:

25 The ants are a people not strong,

Yet they prepare their meat in the summer.

26 The conies are a people not strong,

Yet they make their houses in the rocks.

27 The locusts have no king,

Yet they go forth all of them in order. 28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, And is in kings' palaces.

29 There are three things which go well, Yea, four are comely in going:

30 A lion which is the most valiant of beasts, And turneth not away for any;

31 A greyhound; an he goat also;

And a king against whom there is no rising up.

32 If thou hast foolishly exalted thyself,

Or if thou hast thought evil,

Lay thine hand upon thy mouth:

33 For the churning of milk bringeth forth butter; And the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood;

And the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

CHAPTER XXXI.

1 THE words of king Lemuel,

Even the prophecy which his mother taught him.

2 What shall I say to thee, 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 that which destroyeth kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Nor for princes to desire strong drink;

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish; And wine unto those that are of heavy hearts; 7 That they may drink, and forget their poverty, And remember their misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb;

Plead thou the cause of the oppressed.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,

And plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 Who can find a virtuous wife?

For her price is far above gems.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, And he shall not want domestic wealth.

12 She will do 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 a merchant's ships;

She bringeth her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night,
And giveth meat to her household,
And a portion to her maidens.

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it,

With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength,

And strengtheneth her arms.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good;

Her lamp goeth not out by night. 19 She layeth her hands to the spindle,

And her hands hold the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor;

Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. 21 She is not afraid of snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with double

garments.

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; Her clothing is linen and purple.

23 Her husband is respected in the gates,

When he sitteth among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh vestments, and selleth them;
And delivereth girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing,
And she shall rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom,
And upon her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She superintendeth 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 women have acted virtuously;
But thou excellest them all.

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty vain;

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands;

And let her own works praise her in the gates.

End of the Proverbs.