| The Webster Bible (WBT) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
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1 The sayings of King Lemuel--an oracle his mother taught him:
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2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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2 "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
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3 Give not thy strength to women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
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3 do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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4 [It is] not for kings, O Lemuel, [it is] not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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4 "It is not for kings, O Lemuel-- not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
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5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
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5 lest they drink and forget what the law decrees, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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6 Give strong drink to him that is ready to perish, and wine to those that are of heavy hearts.
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6 Give beer to those who are perishing, wine to those who are in anguish;
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7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
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8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy."
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10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price [is] far above rubies.
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10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
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11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.
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12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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14 She is like the merchant's ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth food to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
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15 She gets up while it is still dark; she provides food for her family and portions for her servant girls.
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16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
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17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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18 She perceiveth that her merchandise [is] good: her candle goeth not out by night.
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18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yes, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household [are] clothed with scarlet.
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21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
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22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing [is] silk and purple.
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22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
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24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth [it]; and delivereth girdles to the merchant.
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24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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25 Strength and honor [are] her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and on her tongue [is] the law of kindness.
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26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
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27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; her husband [also], and he praiseth her.
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28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
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29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
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30 Favor [is] deceitful, and beauty [is] vain: [but] a woman [that] feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.
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30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
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31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
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31 Give her the reward she has earned, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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| The Webster Bible is in the public domain. (The Webster 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) |
