| The Latin Vulgate (VUL) | New International Version (NIV) |
| 1 verba Lamuhel regis visio qua erudivit eum mater sua | 1 The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle his mother taught him: |
| 2 quid dilecte mi quid dilecte uteri mei quid dilecte votorum meorum | 2 "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3 ne dederis mulieribus substantiam tuam et vias tuas ad delendos reges | 3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
| 4 noli regibus o Lamuhel noli regibus dare vinum quia nullum secretum est ubi regnat ebrietas | 4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
| 5 ne forte bibat et obliviscatur iudiciorum et mutet causam filiorum pauperis | 5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6 date siceram maerentibus et vinum his qui amaro sunt animo | 6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish; |
| 7 bibant ut obliviscantur egestatis suae et doloris non recordentur amplius | 7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8 aperi os tuum muto et causis omnium filiorum qui pertranseunt | 8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9 aperi os tuum decerne quod iustum est et iudica inopem et pauperem | 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy." |
| 10 aleph mulierem fortem quis inveniet procul et de ultimis finibus pretium eius | 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11 beth confidit in ea cor viri sui et spoliis non indigebit | 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12 gimel reddet ei bonum et non malum omnibus diebus vitae suae | 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13 deleth quaesivit lanam et linum et operata est consilio manuum suarum | 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14 he facta est quasi navis institoris de longe portat panem suum | 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15 vav et de nocte surrexit deditque praedam domesticis suis et cibaria ancillis suis | 15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls. |
| 16 zai consideravit agrum et emit eum de fructu manuum suarum plantavit vineam | 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17 heth accinxit fortitudine lumbos suos et roboravit brachium suum | 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18 teth gustavit quia bona est negotiatio eius non extinguetur in nocte lucerna illius | 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19 ioth manum suam misit ad fortia et digiti eius adprehenderunt fusum | 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20 caph manum suam aperuit inopi et palmas suas extendit ad pauperem | 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21 lameth non timebit domui suae a frigoribus nivis omnes enim domestici eius vestiti duplicibus | 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22 mem stragulam vestem fecit sibi byssus et purpura indumentum eius | 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
| 23 nun nobilis in portis vir eius quando sederit cum senatoribus terrae | 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
| 24 samech sindonem fecit et vendidit et cingulum tradidit Chananeo | 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25 ain fortitudo et decor indumentum eius et ridebit in die novissimo | 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26 phe os suum aperuit sapientiae et lex clementiae in lingua eius | 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27 sade considerat semitas domus suae et panem otiosa non comedet | 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28 coph surrexerunt filii eius et beatissimam praedicaverunt vir eius et laudavit eam | 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29 res multae filiae congregaverunt divitias tu supergressa es universas | 29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30 sin fallax gratia et vana est pulchritudo mulier timens Dominum ipsa laudabitur | 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
| 31 thau date ei de fructu manuum suarum et laudent eam in portis opera eius | 31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
| The Latin Vulgate is in the public domain. (Latin Vulgate - Holy Bible Online) | 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) |