| New King James Version (NKJV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
|
1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
|
1 The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle his mother taught him:
|
|
2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
|
2 "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
|
|
3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
|
3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
|
|
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
|
4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
|
|
5 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
|
5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
|
|
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
|
6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish;
|
|
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
|
7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
|
|
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
|
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
|
|
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
|
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
|
|
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
|
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
|
|
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
|
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
|
|
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
|
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
|
|
13 She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
|
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
|
|
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
|
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
|
|
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
|
15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
|
|
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
|
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
|
|
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
|
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
|
|
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
|
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
|
|
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
|
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
|
|
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
|
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
|
|
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.
|
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
|
|
22 She makes tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
|
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
|
|
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
|
23 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 supplies sashes for the merchants.
|
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
|
|
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
|
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
|
|
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
|
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
|
|
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
|
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
|
|
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
|
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
|
|
29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
|
29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
|
|
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall be praised.
|
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
|
|
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
|
31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
|
| Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New King James Version) |
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide. (New International Version Bible Online) |
