GOD'S WORD Translation GW
New International Version NIV
1 The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 "What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?
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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 power to those who ruin 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, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave 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 Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 "Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people."
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 "Who can find a wife with a strong character? She is worth far more than jewels.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her with [all] his heart, and he does not lack anything good.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She helps him and never harms him all the days of her life.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 "She seeks out wool and linen [with care] and works with willing hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves.
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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 picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late 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 on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing.
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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 quilts for herself. Her clothes are [made of] linen and purple cloth.
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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 and delivers belts to the merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 "She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she does not eat 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 and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 'Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!'
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 "Charm is deceptive, and beauty evaporates, [but] a woman who has the fear of the LORD 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 Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her 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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. 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.