Revised Standard Version w/ Apocrypha RSVA
New International Version NIV
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
1
The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
2
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
3
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 drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;
4
It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
5
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 perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
6
Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
7
Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
8
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
9
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
11
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
12
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
13
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.
14
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.
15
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
16
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
17
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
18
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
19
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
20
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
22
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
23
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.
24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
25
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
26
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
28
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
29
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
30
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.
31
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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.
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.