King James Version KJV
Good News Translation GNT
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
1
These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
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"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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 drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:
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Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
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When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
6
Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
7
Let them drink and forget their poverty and unhappiness.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect 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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How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more 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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Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She will do 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 seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
13
She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
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 gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.
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She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
17
She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
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She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.
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She is generous to the poor and 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 doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
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She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
24
She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
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She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
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Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.
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He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of 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 deceptive and beauty disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.
31
Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.