The Skeptics Annotated Bible (512 page)

20
Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.

(30.20)
“Such is the way of an adulterous woman; she eateth, and wipeth her mouth, and saith, I have done no wickedness.”

21 For
three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear:

(30.21, 23)
“Three things the earth is disquieted, and for four which it cannot bear … an odious woman when she is married.”
One of the three or four things that the earth cannot bear is an odious married woman.

22 For a servant when he reigneth; and a fool when he is filled with meat;

23 For
an odious woman when she is married
; and an handmaid that is heir to her mistress.

24 There be 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 but a feeble folk, yet make they their houses in the rocks;

27 The locusts have no king, yet go they forth all of them by bands;

28 The spider taketh hold with her hands, and is in kings’ palaces.

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

30 A lion which is strongest among 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 done foolishly in lifting up thyself, or if thou hast thought evil, lay thine hand upon thy mouth.

33 Surely the churning of milk bringeth forth butter, and
the wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood
: so the forcing of wrath bringeth forth strife.

(30.33)
“The wringing of the nose bringeth forth blood.”

31
The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3
Give not thy strength unto women
, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

(31.3) “Give not thy strength unto women.”

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6
Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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

(31.6-7) “Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.”
71 Is it OK to drink alcohol?.

8
Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction
.

9
Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

(31.8-9)
“Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.”
I don’t often quote from the NIV, but I will in this case. “Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.” (NIV)

10
Who can find a virtuous woman?
for her price is far above rubies.

(31.10)
“Who can find a virtuous woman?”
Virtuous men are much more common.

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

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 the merchants’ 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 candle 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.