New International Version NIV
New Living Translation NLT
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
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The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, 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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O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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do not waste your strength on women, 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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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
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Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
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Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles 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; ensure justice for those being crushed.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
10 A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies.
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Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
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 dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
16 She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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She makes sure her dealings are profitable; 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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Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to 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 has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
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 at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.
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She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell 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 clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
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“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly 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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Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.