American Standard Version ASV
Holman Christian Standard Bible CSB
1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
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The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that 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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What [should I say], my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
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Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy 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 or for rulers [to desire] beer.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice [due] to any that is afflicted.
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Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, And wine unto the bitter in soul:
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Give beer to one who is dying, and wine to one whose life is bitter.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
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Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble 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 have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, And minister justice to the poor and needy.
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Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.
10 A worthy woman who can find? For her price is far above rubies.
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Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusteth in her, And he shall have no lack of gain.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.
12 She doeth him good and not evil All the days of her life.
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She rewards him with good, not evil, 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 willing 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 far away.
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 rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her servants.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it; With the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, And maketh strong her arms.
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She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is profitable: Her lamp goeth not out by night.
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She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.
19 She layeth her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
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She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; Yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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Her hands reach out to the poor, and she 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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She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.
22 She maketh for herself carpets of tapestry; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is 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 known at the city gates, where he sits 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 and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing; And she laugheth at the time to come.
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Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; And the law of kindness is on her tongue.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving 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 activities of her household and is never idle.
28 Her children rise up, and call her blessed; Her husband [also], and he praiseth her, [saying]:
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Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 Many daughters have done worthily, But thou excellest them all.
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"Many women are capable, 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 will be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; And let her works praise her in the gates.
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Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.
The American Standard Version is in the public domain.
Holman Christian Standard Bible ® Copyright © 2003, 2002, 2000, 1999 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved.