The Message Bible MSG
King James Version KJV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
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The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy 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, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?
3 Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.
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Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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; nor for princes 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 the law, and pervert the judgment of any of 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 unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
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Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his 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 thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
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Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
10 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
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Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
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The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
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She will do him good and not evil 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 seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her 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 merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
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She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to 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 considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth 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 girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
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She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
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She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
20 She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
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She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
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She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 sitteth 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 maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
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Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.
26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
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She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.
27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
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She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 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 arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.
29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
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Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest 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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Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall 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 own 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 King James Version is in the public domain.