5 Lest he drink, and forget the statute,

And to any of the sons of distress give wrong judg

ment.

6 Give strong drink to him that is perishing, And wine to him that is of heavy heart.

7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb,

For the judgment of all the sons of distress.

9 Open thy mouth, judge in righteousness, Plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10 A virtuous wife who can find,

For her price is far above rubies.

11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, Of plunder he shall have no need.

12 She recompenseth to him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool and flax,

And cheerfully worketh with her hands.

14 She is like the ships of the merchant; From afar cometh her food.

15 And she riseth while it is yet night,

And giveth food to her household,

And her orders to her maidens.

16 She looketh out for a field, and buyeth it: With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with might,

And she strengtheneth her arms,

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: Her lamp is not extinguished in the night. 19 She putteth her hands to the spindle,

And her hands take hold of the distaff.

20 She stretcheth out her hands to the poor; She stretcheth out her hands to the needy.

21 Her household feareth not the snow:

For all her family is clothed with double garments. 22 She worketh beautiful vestments for herself; Fine linen and purple are her clothing.

23 Her lord is respected in the gates,

When he sitteth with the elders of the land.t

24 Fine linen she maketh, and selleth ;
And she delivereth girdles to the merchant.

* The task.

† Mrs. Barbauld.

25 With strength and beauty she is clothed; And she will rejoice in time to come.

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth not the bread of idleness.

28 Her children rise up, and bless her; Her lord, and he praiseth her.

29

Many daughters have done worthily,
But thou excellest them all.

30 Gracefulness fadeth, and beauty is a vanity:

The wife that feareth Jehovah, she shall be praised.

31 Ascribe to her the fruit of her hands;

And let her works praise her in the gates.'

THE END.

T. C. Savill, Printer, 107, St. Martin's Lane.