Septuagint Bible w/ Apocrypha LXX
New International Version NIV
1 My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed.
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son 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 wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine:
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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 lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly.
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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 those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain:
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly.
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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 and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones.
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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 trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 For she employs all her living for her husband's good.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and tasks 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 views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants and a possession.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She reaches forth her arms to needful , and applies her hands to the spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed.
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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 her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 And her husband becomes a distinguished in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants 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 fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 And kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her.
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all.
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear the Lord.
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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 lips; and let her husband be praised 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.
The Brenton translation of the Septuagint 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.