New King James Version NKJV
Revised Standard Version RSV
1 The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him:
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The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2 What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows?
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What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
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Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
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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 the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.
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lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
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Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
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let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.
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Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, And plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
10 Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.
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A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
11 The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
12 She does him good and not evil 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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.
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She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchant ships, She brings her food from afar.
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She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.
15 She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.
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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; From her profits 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 girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.
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She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle.
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She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
20 She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out 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 She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with 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 tapestry for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits 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 sashes for the merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
27 She watches over the ways 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 rise up 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 daughters have done well, But you excel them all."
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"Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the Lord, she shall 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 Give her of the fruit of her hands, And let her own works praise her in the gates.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson, Inc. Used by permission. All rights reserved.
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.