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