New Century Version NCV
New International Version NIV
1 These are the words of King Lemuel, the mes- sage his mother taught him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 "My son, I gave birth to you. You are the son I prayed for.
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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
3 Don't waste your strength on women or your time on those who ruin kings.
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Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 "Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel, and rulers should not desire beer.
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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 If they drink, they might forget the law and keep the needy from getting their rights.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Give beer to people who are dying and wine to those who are sad.
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Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink and forget their need and remember their misery no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8 "Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
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Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9 Speak up and judge fairly, and defend the rights of the poor and needy."
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Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
10 It is hard to find a good wife, because she is worth more than rubies.
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A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
11 Her husband trusts her completely. With her, he has everything he needs.
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Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
12 She does him good and not harm for as long as she lives.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She looks for wool and flax and likes to work with her hands.
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She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 She is like a trader's ship, bringing food from far away.
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She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 She gets up while it is still dark and prepares food for her family and feeds her servant girls.
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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 inspects a field and buys it. With money she earned, 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 does her work with energy, and her arms are strong.
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She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
18 She knows that what she makes is good. Her lamp burns late into the night.
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She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She makes thread with her hands and weaves her own cloth.
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In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 She welcomes the poor and helps the needy.
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She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
21 She does not worry about her family when it snows, because they all have fine clothes to keep them warm.
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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 clothes are made of linen and other expensive material.
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She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known at the city meetings, where he makes decisions as one of the leaders 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 clothes and sells them and provides belts to the merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
25 She is strong and is respected by the people. She looks forward to the future with joy.
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She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
26 She speaks wise words and teaches others to be kind.
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She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She watches over her family and never wastes her time.
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She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children speak well of her. Her husband also praises her,
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Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 saying, "There are many fine women, but you are better than all of them."
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“Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
30 Charm can fool you, and beauty can trick you, but a woman who respects the Lord should 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 reward she has earned; she should be praised in public for what she has done.
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Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
Scripture taken from the New Century Version. Copyright © 1987, 1988, 1991 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. 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.