New International Version NIV
New International Reader's Version NIRV
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
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These are the sayings of King Lemuel. His mother taught them to him. She spoke them as if they came from God.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!
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She said, "My son! My very own son! 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. Don't waste it on those who destroy 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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"Lemuel, it isn't good for kings to drink wine. It isn't good for rulers to long for 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 do, they might drink and forget what the law commands. They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
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Give beer to those who are dying. Give wine to those who are sad and troubled.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
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Let them drink and forget how poor they are. Let them forget their suffering.
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 can't speak for themselves. Speak up for the rights of all those who are poor.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak up and judge fairly. Speak up for the rights of those who are poor and needy."
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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Who can find a noble wife? She is worth far 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. She gives him all the important things he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She chooses wool and flax. She loves to work with her hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like the ships of traders. She brings her 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. She provides food for her family. She also gives some to her female servants.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She considers a field and buys it. She uses some of the money she earns to plant a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She gets ready to work hard. 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 sees that her trading earns a lot of money. Her lamp doesn't go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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With one hand she holds the wool. With the other she spins the thread.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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She opens her arms to those who are poor. She reaches out her hands to those who are needy.
21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet.
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When it snows, she's not afraid for her family. All of them are dressed in the finest clothes.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes her own bed coverings. She is dressed in fine linen and purple clothes.
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 respected at the city gate. There he takes his seat among 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 linen clothes and sells them. She supplies belts to the traders.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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She puts on strength and honor as if they were her clothes. She can laugh at the days that are coming.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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She speaks wisely. She teaches faithfully.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She watches over family matters. She is busy all the time.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children stand up and call her blessed. Her husband also rises up, and he praises her.
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
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He says, "Many women do noble things. But you are better than all the others."
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. Beauty fades. But a woman who has respect for 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. Let everything she has done bring praise to her at the city gate.
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.
Holy Bible, New International Reader's Version® Copyright © 1995, 1996, 1998 by Biblica. All rights reserved worldwide.