NIV 1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. NIV 1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. NIV 2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! NIV 2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! NIV 3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. NIV 3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. NIV 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, NIV 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, NIV 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. NIV 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. NIV 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! NIV 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! NIV 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. NIV 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. NIV 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. NIV 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. NIV 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. NIV 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. NIV 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. NIV 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. NIV 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. NIV 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. NIV 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. NIV 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. NIV 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. NIV 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. NIV 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. NIV 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. NIV 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. NIV 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. NIV 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. NIV 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. NIV 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. NIV 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. NIV 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NIV 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NIV 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. NIV 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. NIV 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. NIV 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. NIV 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. NIV 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. NIV 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. NIV 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. NIV 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. NIV 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. NIV 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. NIV 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. NIV 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. NIV 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. NIV 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. NIV 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. NIV 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. NIV 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. NIV 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: NIV 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: NIV 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” NIV 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” NIV 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. NIV 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. NIV 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. NIV 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.
NIV 1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him. NIV 2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! NIV 3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. NIV 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, NIV 5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. NIV 6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! NIV 7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. NIV 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. NIV 9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. NIV 10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. NIV 11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. NIV 12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. NIV 13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. NIV 14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. NIV 15 She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. NIV 16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. NIV 17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. NIV 18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. NIV 19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. NIV 20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. NIV 21 When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. NIV 22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. NIV 23 Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. NIV 24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. NIV 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. NIV 26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. NIV 27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. NIV 28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: NIV 29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.” NIV 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. NIV 31 Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate.