New International Version NIV
Good News Translation GNT
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
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These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
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"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed 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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Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
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Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
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 unhappiness.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.
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"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
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 before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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She is generous to the poor and needy.
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 worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
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 well known, one of the leading citizens.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
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He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of 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 disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should 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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Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
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.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.