| New Century Version (NCV) |
New International Version (NIV) |
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1 These are the words of King Lemuel, the mes- sage 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 "My son, I gave birth to you. You are the son I prayed for.
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2 "O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
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3 Don't waste your strength on women or your time on those who ruin 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 "Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel, and rulers should not desire beer.
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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 If they drink, they might forget the law and keep the needy from getting their rights.
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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 beer to people who are dying and wine to those who are sad.
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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 them drink and forget their need and remember their 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 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
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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 Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights 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 It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than 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 Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs.
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11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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12 She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.
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12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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13 She looks for wool and flax and likes to work 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 a trader's ship, bringing food from far away.
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14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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15 She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls.
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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 inspects a field and buys it. With money she earned, she plants 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 does her work with energy, and her arms are strong.
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17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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18 She knows that what she makes is good. Her lamp burns late into the 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 makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.
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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 welcomes the poor and helps 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 does not worry about her family when it snows, because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
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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 makes coverings for herself; her clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
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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 at the city meetings, where he makes decisions as one of the leaders 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 makes linen clothes and sells them and provides belts to the merchants.
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24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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25 She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.
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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 speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.
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26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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27 She watches over her family and never wastes her time.
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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 speak well of her. Her husband also praises 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 saying, "There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them."
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29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
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30 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should 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 the reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done.
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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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| Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (New Century Version Online Bible) |
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) |
