King James Version KJV
English Standard Version ESV
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that 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, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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; nor for princes 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 take strong drink,
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
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Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
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An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She will do him good and not evil 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 seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.
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She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth 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 girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
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She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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She puts her hands to the distaff, 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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She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out 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 of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
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She makes bed coverings for herself; 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 in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness 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 looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
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“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all. ”
30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall 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 own works praise her in the gates.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version® (ESV®) © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. All rights reserved. ESV Text Edition: 2025