Good News Translation GNT
World English Bible WEB
1 These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
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The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 "You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
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"Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed kings.
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Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
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It is not for kings, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
5 When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
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Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
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Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
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Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8 "Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
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Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."
10 How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
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Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall have no lack of gain.
12 As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
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She does him good, and not harm, All the days of her life.
13 She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
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She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands.
14 She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
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She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
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She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And their task to her servant girls.
16 She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned 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 is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
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She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong.
18 She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
19 She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
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She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20 She is generous to the poor and needy.
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She stretches out her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches forth her hands to the needy.
21 She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
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She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
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She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
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Her husband is respected in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom. Instruction of faithfulness is on her tongue.
27 She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
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She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of them all."
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"Many women do noble things, But you excel them all."
30 Charm is deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
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Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears Yahweh, she shall be praised.
31 Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gates.