New International Reader's Version NIRV
New International Version NIV
1 These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. She spoke them as if they came from God.
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 She said, "My son! My very own son! The son I prayed for!
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Don't waste your strength on women. Don't waste it on those who destroy kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 "Lemuel, it isn't good for kings to drink wine. It isn't good for rulers to long for beer.
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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 If they do, they might drink and forget what the law commands. They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give beer to those who are dying. Give wine to those who are sad and troubled.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget how poor they are. Let them forget their suffering.
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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. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy."
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far more than rubies.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her completely. She gives him all the important things he needs.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings 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 chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the ships of traders. She brings her food from far away.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.
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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 and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She gets ready to work hard. Her arms are strong.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn't go out at night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 When it snows, she's not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
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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 bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among the elders 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 clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 He says, "Many women do noble things. But you are better than all the others."
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm can fool you. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for 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 Give her the reward she has earned. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.
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.