The Bible in Basic English BBE
New International Version NIV
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
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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 take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
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It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
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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.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
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She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
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When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
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Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.