The Message Bible MSG
World English Bible WEB
1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:
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The words of king Lemuel; the oracle 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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"Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.
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Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys 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, Lemuel; it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, 'Where is 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 justice due to anyone who is 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 him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
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 your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to 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 worthy 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 trusts in her. He shall 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 eagerly 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 merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
15 She's up before dawn, preparing breakfast for her family and organizing her day.
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She rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And their task to 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 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 girds her loins 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 doesn't go out by night.
19 She's skilled in the crafts of home and hearth, diligent in homemaking.
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She lays 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 stretches out her hand to the poor; Yes, she reaches 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 makes for herself carpets of tapestry. 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 respected 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, And 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. 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. Instruction of faithfulness 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 doesn't 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 praises her:
29 "Many women have done wonderful things, but you've outclassed them all!"
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"Many women do noble things, But you excel 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 Yahweh, 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; 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 World English Bible is in the public domain.