New King James Version NKJV
New International Version NIV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And 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 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys 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 drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating 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 Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
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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 perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
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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 safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
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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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
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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 considers a field and buys it; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp 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 stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.
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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 is clothed with scarlet.
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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 tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine 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 known in the gates, When he sits among the elders 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 garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the ways of her household, And does not eat 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 Her children rise up and call her blessed; Her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears 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 own 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.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. 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.