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New International Version (NIV) |
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1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which 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? What, son of my womb? What, 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 your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy 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, or for rulers to desire 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 what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all 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 who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
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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 poverty, 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 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
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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 your mouth, judge righteously, maintain 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 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
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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 trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
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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, 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 seeks wool and flax, and works with willing 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 ships of the merchant, she brings 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 rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for 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 considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands 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 girds her loins with strength and makes her arms 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 perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at 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 puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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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 opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out 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 snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in 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 makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen 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 sits 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 makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers 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 dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the 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 opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat 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 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 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
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29 "Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all."
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30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to 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 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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| Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved. (Revised Standard Version - Holy 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) |
