Jubilee Bible 2000 JUB
New International Version NIV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy with 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, the son of my womb? and what, the 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 thy strength nor thy ways unto the women who destroy kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 <em>It is</em> not for kings, O Lemuel, <em>it is</em> not for kings to drink wine; nor is beer for princes
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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 judgment of any of 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 beer unto him that is ready to perish and wine unto those that have heavy hearts.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 They drink and forget their need and remember their 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 those who cannot speak in the judgment of all the sons of death.
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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 plead the cause of the poor and destitute.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 <em>Aleph</em> Who can find a valiant woman? for her price <em>is</em> far above precious stones.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 <em>Beth</em> The heart of her husband safely trusts in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 <em>Gimel </em> She will do 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 <em>Daleth</em> She sought wool and flax and worked willingly with her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 <em>He</em> She was like the merchants’ ships; she brings her food from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 <em>Vau</em> She rose up even at night and gave food to her family and a portion 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 <em>Zain</em> She considered the inheritance and bought it; with the fruit of her hands she planted a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 <em>Cheth</em> She girded her loins with strength and strengthened her arms.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 <em>Teth</em> She perceived that her merchandise <em>was</em> good; her fire did 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 <em>Jod</em> She laid her hands to the spindle, and her hands held the distaff.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 <em>Caph </em> She stretched out her hand to the poor; <em>yea</em>, she reached forth her hands to the destitute.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 <em>Lamed</em> She shall not be afraid of the snow for her family, for all her family <em>is</em> 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 <em>Mem</em> She makes herself tapestries; her clothing <em>is</em> of fine linen and purple.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 <em>Nun</em> 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 <em>Samech</em> She made fine linen and sold <em>it</em> and delivered girdles unto the merchant.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 <em>Ain</em> Strength and glory <em>is</em> her clothing, and she shall laugh in the last day.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 <em>Pe</em> She opened her mouth with wisdom, and the law of mercy <em>is</em> upon her tongue.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 <em>Tzaddi</em> She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat bread in idleness.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 <em>Koph</em> Her sons rose up and called her blessed; her husband <em>also</em>, and he praised her.
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 <em>Resh</em> Many daughters have done valiantly, but thou dost excel them all.
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 <em>Schin</em> Grace <em>is</em> deceitful, and beauty <em>is</em> vain, <em>but</em> the woman that fears the LORD 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 <em>Tau</em> 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.
The Jubilee Bible (from the Scriptures of the Reformation), edited by Russell M. Stendal, Copyright © 2000, 2001, 2010
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.