Douay-Rheims Catholic Bible RHE
New International Version NIV
1 The words of king Lamuel. The vision wherewith his mother instructed him.
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What, O my beloved, what, O the beloved of my womb, what, O the beloved of my vows?
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Give not thy substance to women, and thy riches to destroy kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Give not to kings, O Lamuel, give not wine to kings: because there is no secret where drunkenness reigneth:
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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 And lest they drink and forget judgments, and pervert the cause of the children of the poor.
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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 them that are sad; and wine to them that are grieved in mind:
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink, and forget their want, and remember their sorrow no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, and for the causes of all the children that pass.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open thy mouth, decree that which is just, and do justice to the needy and poor.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who shall find a valiant woman? far, and from the uttermost coasts is the price of her.
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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 trusteth in her, and he shall have no need of spoils.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She will render 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 hath sought wool and flax, and hath wrought by the counsel of her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant’s ship, she bringeth her bread from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 And she hath risen in the night, and given a prey to her household, and victuals to her maidens.
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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 She hath considered a field, and bought it: with the fruit of her hands she hath planted a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She hath girded her loins with strength, and hath strengthened her arm.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She hath tasted, and seen that her traffic is good: her lamp shall not be put out in the night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She hath put out her hand to strong things, and her fingers have taken hold of the spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She hath opened her hand to the needy, and stretched out her hands to the poor.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She shall not fear for her house in the cold of snow: for all her domestics are clothed with double garments.
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When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She hath made for herself clothing of tapestry: fine linen, and purple, is her covering.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is honourable in the gates, when he sitteth among the senators 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 made fine linen, and sold it, and delivered a girdle to the Chanaanite.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and beauty are her clothing, and she shall laugh in the latter day.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She hath opened her mouth to wisdom, and the law of clemency is on her tongue.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She hath looked well on the paths of her house, and hath not eaten her bread idle.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rose up, and called her blessed: her husband, and he praised her.
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 Many daughters have gathered together riches: thou hast surpassed them all.
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: the woman that feareth the Lord, she shall 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 of the fruit of her hands: and let her works praise her in the gates.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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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.