The Bible in Basic English BBE
Good News Translation GNT
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.
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These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2 What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths?
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"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
3 Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings.
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Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink?
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Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
5 For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble.
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When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
6 Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter:
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Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
7 Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
8 Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death.
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"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
9 Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.
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Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
10 Who may make discovery of a woman of virtue? For her price is much higher than jewels.
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How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband has faith in her, and he will have profit in full measure.
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Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She does him good and not evil all the days of her life.
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As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
13 She gets wool and linen, working at the business of her hands.
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She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14 She is like the trading-ships, getting food from far away.
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She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
15 She gets up while it is still night, and gives meat to her family, and their food to her servant-girls.
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She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16 After looking at a field with care, she gets it for a price, planting a vine-garden with the profit of her work.
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She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17 She puts a band of strength round her, and makes her arms strong.
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She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18 She sees that her marketing is of profit to her: her light does not go out by night.
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She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19 She puts her hands to the cloth-working rod, and her fingers take the wheel.
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She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20 Her hands are stretched out to the poor; yes, she is open-handed to those who are in need.
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She is generous to the poor and needy.
21 She has no fear of the snow for her family, for all those in her house are clothed in red.
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She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22 She makes for herself cushions of needlework; her clothing is fair linen and purple.
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She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is a man of note in the public place, when he takes his seat among the responsible men of the land.
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Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
24 She makes linen robes and gets a price for them, and traders take her cloth bands for a price.
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She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25 Strength and self-respect are her clothing; she is facing the future with a smile.
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She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26 Her mouth is open to give out wisdom, and the law of mercy is on her tongue.
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She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27 She gives attention to the ways of her family, she does not take her food without working for it.
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She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28 Her children get up and give her honour, and her husband gives her praise, saying,
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Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29 Unnumbered women have done well, but you are better than all of them.
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He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all."
30 Fair looks are a deceit, and a beautiful form is of no value; but a woman who has the fear of the Lord is to be praised.
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Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her credit for what her hands have made: let her be praised by her works in the public place.
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Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
The Bible in Basic English is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.