New American Standard Bible NAS
New International Version NIV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
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It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate .
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.
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She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends 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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When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future .
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 "Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD , she shall be praised.
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Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, California. All rights reserved.
Scripture quoted by permission. Quotations designated (NIV) are from THE HOLY BIBLE: NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.