The Message Bible MSG
New Living Translation NLT
1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which 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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O my son, O son of my womb, O 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 waste your strength on women, on those who ruin 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, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5 Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt.
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For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
6 Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache
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Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
7 Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.
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Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles 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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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
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Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
10 A good woman is hard to find, and worth far more than diamonds.
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Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her without reserve, and never has reason to regret it.
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Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
12 Never spiteful, she treats him generously all her life long.
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She brings him good, 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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14 She's like a trading ship that sails to faraway places and brings back exotic surprises.
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She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
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She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16 She looks over a field and buys it, then, with money she's put aside, plants a garden.
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She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings 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 is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18 She senses the worth of her work, is in no hurry to call it quits for the day.
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She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
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Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She's quick to assist anyone in need, reaches out to help the poor.
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She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms 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 has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
22 She makes her own clothing, and dresses in colorful linens and silks.
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She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
23 Her husband is greatly respected when he deliberates with the city fathers.
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Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She designs gowns and sells them, brings the sweaters she knits to the dress shops.
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She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
25 Her clothes are well-made and elegant, and she always faces tomorrow with a smile.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 When she speaks she has something worthwhile to say, and she always says it kindly.
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When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She keeps an eye on everyone in her household, and keeps them all busy and productive.
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She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children respect and bless her; her husband joins in with words of praise:
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Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
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“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
31 Give her everything she deserves! Festoon her life with praises!
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Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
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.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.