The Complete Jewish Bible CJB
New International Version NIV
1 The words of King L'mu'el, the prophecy with which his mother disciplined him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Don't give your strength to women or your ways to that which destroys kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, L'mu'el, not for kings to drink wine; it is not for rulers to ask, "Where can I find strong liquor?"
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It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 For they may drink, then forget what has been decreed, and pervert the justice due to the poor.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give strong liquor to one who is perishing, wine to the deeply depressed;
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 let him drink, forget his poverty and cease to remember his troubles.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who can't speak for themselves, for the rights of all who need an advocate.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up, judge righteously, defend the cause of the poor and the needy.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a capable wife? Her value is far beyond that of pearls.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her from his heart, and she will prove a great asset to him.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She works to bring him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She procures a supply of wool and flax and works with willing hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like those merchant vessels, bringing her food from far away.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 It's still dark when she rises to give food to her household and orders to the young women serving her.
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She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field, then buys it, and from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She gathers her strength around her and throws herself into her work.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her business affairs go well; her lamp stays lit at night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the staff with the flax; her fingers hold the spinning rod.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She reaches out to embrace the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; since all of them are doubly clothed.
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When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes her own quilts; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the city gates when he sits with the leaders of the land.
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Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchants with sashes.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Clothed with strength and dignity, she can laugh at the days to come.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 When she opens her mouth, she speaks wisely; on her tongue is loving instruction.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches how things go in her house, not eating the bread of idleness.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise; they make her happy; her husband too, as he praises her:
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you surpass them all!"
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm can lie, beauty can vanish, but a woman who fears ADONAI should be praised.
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her a share in what she produces; let her works speak her praises at the city gates.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Complete Jewish Bible Copyright 1998 by David H. Stern. Published by Jewish New Testament Publications, Inc. All rights reserved. Used by permission.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.