English Standard Version ESV
The Message Bible MSG
1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
1
The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
2
"Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!
3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
3
Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
4
"Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
5
Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
6
Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache
7 let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
7
Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
8
"Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
9
Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
10
A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
11
Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
12
Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
13
She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
14
She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
15
She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
16
She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
17
First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
18
She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
19
She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
20
She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
21
She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
22
She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
23
Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
24
She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
25
Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
26
When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
27
She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
28
Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
29
"Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
30
Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
31
Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.