New Living Translation NLT
New International Version NIV
1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.
1
The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
2
Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.
3
Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
4
It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
5
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
6
Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
7
Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
8
Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
9
Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
10
A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
11
Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
12
She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
13
She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
14
She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
15
She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
16
She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
17
She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
18
She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
19
In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
20
She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
21
When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
22
She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
23
Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
24
She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
25
She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
26
She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
27
She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
28
Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
29
“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
30
Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
31
Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. 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.