American Standard Version ASV
New International Version NIV
1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle 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, O son of my womb? And what, O 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 strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 [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 Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is 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 unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
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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 thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of all such as are left desolate.
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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, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price 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 trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She doeth 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 seeketh wool and flax, And worketh willingly 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 bringeth her bread from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, And giveth food to her household, And their task 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 considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not 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 layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth 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 the snow for her household; For all her household are 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 maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; 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 sitteth 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 maketh linen garments and selleth them, And delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, And eateth 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 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Grace is deceitful, and beauty is vain; [But] a woman that feareth Jehovah, 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.
The American Standard Version 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.