King James Version KJV
New King James Version NKJV
1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.
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The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which 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, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, 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, Nor your ways to that which destroys 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, Nor for princes intoxicating 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 the law, And pervert the justice 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 him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
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Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his 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 speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
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Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
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 safely trusts her; So 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 evil 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 willingly works with her hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, 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 also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
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; From her profits she plants a vineyard.
17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
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She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
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 good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds 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 extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she 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 is clothed with scarlet.
22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.
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She makes tapestry 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, And supplies sashes for the merchants.
25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in 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 on her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.
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She watches over 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 daughters have done well, But you excel 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 passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall 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 own works praise her in the gates.
The King James Version is in the public domain.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.