The Message Bible MSG
English Standard Version ESV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
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The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 "Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!
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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 Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.
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Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 "Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer,
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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, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache
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Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
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let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 "Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers.
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Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
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An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
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She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She shops around for the best yarns and cottons, and enjoys knitting and sewing.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
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She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
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She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.
16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
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She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 First thing in the morning, she dresses for work, rolls up her sleeves, eager to get started.
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She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
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She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
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She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 She doesn't worry about her family when it snows; their winter clothes are all mended and ready to wear.
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She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
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She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
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Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.
24 She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
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She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
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She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
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"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm can mislead and beauty soon fades. The woman to be admired and praised is the woman who lives in the Fear-of-God.
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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 everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
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Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Published by permission. Originally published by NavPress in English as THE MESSAGE: The Bible in Contemporary Language copyright 2002 by Eugene Peterson. All rights reserved.
The English Standard Version is published with the permission of Good News Publishers.