New Living Translation NLT
Hebrew Names Version HNV
1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.
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The words of king Lemo'el; the oracle which his mother taught him.
2 O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,
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"Oh, my son!" Oh, son of my womb! Oh, son of my vows!
3 do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.
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Don't give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
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It is not for kings, Lemo'el; it is not for kings to drink wine; Nor for princes to say, 'Where is strong drink?'
5 For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
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Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.
6 Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
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Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; And wine to the bitter in soul:
7 Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
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Let him drink, and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more.
8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.
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Open your mouth for the mute, In the cause of all who are left desolate.
9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.
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Open your mouth, judge righteously, And serve justice to the poor and needy."
10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.
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Who can find a worthy woman? For her price is far above rubies.
11 Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.
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The heart of her husband trusts in her. He shall 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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it.
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She seeks wool and flax, And works eagerly with her hands.
14 She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.
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She is like the merchant ships. She brings her bread from afar.
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 rises also while it is yet night, Gives food to her household, And portions for her servant girls.
16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with 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 is energetic and strong, a hard worker.
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She girds her loins with strength, And makes her arms strong.
18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.
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She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp doesn't go out by night.
19 Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.
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She lays her hands to the distaff, And her hands hold the spindle.
20 She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.
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She opens her arms to the poor; Yes, she extends her hands to the needy.
21 She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.
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She is not afraid of the snow for her household; For all her household are clothed with scarlet.
22 She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.
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She makes for herself carpets of tapestry. Her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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 respected in the gates, When he sits among the Zakenim of the land.
24 She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.
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She makes linen garments and sells them, And delivers sashes to the merchant.
25 She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.
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Strength and dignity are her clothing. She laughs at the time to come.
26 When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.
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She opens her mouth with wisdom. Faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.
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She looks well to the ways of her household, And doesn't eat the bread of idleness.
28 Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:
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Her children rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:
29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”
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"Many women do noble things, But you excel 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 deceitful, and beauty is vain; But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.
31 Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.
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Give her of the fruit of her hands; Let her works praise her in the gates.
Holy Bible. New Living Translation copyright© 1996, 2004, 2007, 2013 by
Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
The Hebrew Names Version is in the public domain.