English Standard Version ESV
New Revised Standard NRS
1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
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The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
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No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my vows!
3 Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
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Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,
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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
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Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty 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 your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
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A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
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She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
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She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
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She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks for her servant-girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
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She girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
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She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.
22 She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
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She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:
29 “Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. ”
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"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to 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 a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.