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Common English Bible CEB
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
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The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
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No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my solemn promises!
3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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Don't give your strength to women, your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
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It isn't for kings, Lemuel, it isn't for kings to drink wine, for rulers to crave strong drink.
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law, and violate the rights of the needy.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
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Give strong drink to those who are perishing and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and no longer remember their toil.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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A competent wife, how does one find her? Her value is far above pearls.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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Her husband entrusts his heart to her, and with her he will have all he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She brings him good and not trouble all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She seeks out wool and flax; she works joyfully with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like a fleet of merchant ships, bringing food from a distance.
15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants.
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She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She surveys a field and acquires it; from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She works energetically; her arms are powerful.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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She realizes that her trading is successful; she doesn't put out her lamp at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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She puts her hands to the spindle; her palms grasp the whorl.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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She reaches out to the needy; she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
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She doesn't fear for her household when it snows, because they are all dressed in warm clothes.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes bedspreads for herself; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is known in the city gates when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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She makes garments and sells them; she supplies sashes to traders.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. she doesn't eat the food of laziness.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children bless her; her husband praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
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"Many women act competently, but you surpass them all!"
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
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Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
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Let her share in the results of her work; let her deeds praise her in the city gates.
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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible