New Living Translation NLT
Common English Bible CEB
1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.
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The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
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No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my solemn promises!
3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.
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Don't give your strength to women, your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
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It isn't for kings, Lemuel, it isn't for kings to drink wine, for rulers to crave strong drink.
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
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Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law, and violate the rights of the needy.
6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
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Give strong drink to those who are perishing and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and no longer remember their toil.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
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Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
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Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
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A competent wife, how does one find her? Her value is far above pearls.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
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Her husband entrusts his heart to her, and with her he will have all he needs.
12 She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.
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She brings him good and not trouble all the days of her life.
13 She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
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She seeks out wool and flax; she works joyfully with her hands.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like a fleet of merchant ships, bringing food from a distance.
15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.
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She gets up while it is still night, providing food for her household, even some for her female servants.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.
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She surveys a field and acquires it; from her own resources, she plants a vineyard.
17 She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
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She works energetically; her arms are powerful.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
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She realizes that her trading is successful; she doesn't put out her lamp at night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
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She puts her hands to the spindle; her palms grasp the whorl.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
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She reaches out to the needy; she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
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She doesn't fear for her household when it snows, because they are all dressed in warm clothes.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
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She makes bedspreads for herself; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.
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Her husband is known in the city gates when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
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She makes garments and sells them; she supplies sashes to traders.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
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Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
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Her mouth is full of wisdom; kindly teaching is on her tongue. she doesn't eat the food of laziness.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
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She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
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Her children bless her; her husband praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
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"Many women act competently, but you surpass them all!"
30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.
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Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
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Let her share in the results of her work; let her deeds praise her in the city gates.
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Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible