New International Version NIV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
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The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, 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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What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
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Give not your strength to women, your ways to 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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It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
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Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to 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 and forget their poverty, 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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Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain 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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A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
13 She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings 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 rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.
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; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
17 She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks.
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She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
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She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy.
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She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands 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 is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
22 She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple.
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She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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 in the gates, when he sits 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 garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
29 “Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all.”
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"Many women have done excellently, 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 deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to 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 of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright 1952 [2nd edition, 1971] by the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.