New Revised Standard NRS
Common English Bible CEB
1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
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The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, 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 give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy 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, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to desire strong drink;
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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 or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed, and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law, and violate the rights of the needy.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to 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 and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
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Let them drink and forget their poverty and no longer remember their toil.
8 Speak out for those who cannot speak, for the rights of all the destitute.
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Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.
9 Speak out, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.
10 A capable wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
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A competent wife, how does one find her? Her value is far above pearls.
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
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Her husband entrusts his heart to her, and with her he will have all he needs.
12 She does him good, and 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 seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
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She seeks out wool and flax; she works joyfully with her hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from far away.
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She is like a fleet of merchant ships, bringing food from a distance.
15 She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and tasks 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 considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands 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 girds herself with strength, and makes her arms strong.
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She works energetically; her arms are powerful.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She realizes that her trading is successful; she doesn't put out her lamp at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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She puts her hands to the spindle; her palms grasp the whorl.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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She reaches out to the needy; she stretches out her hands to the poor.
21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all her household are clothed in crimson.
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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 herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes bedspreads for herself; fine linen and purple are her clothing.
23 Her husband is known in the city gates, taking his seat among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is known in the city gates when he sits with the elders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she supplies the merchant with sashes.
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She makes garments and sells them; she supplies sashes to traders.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
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Strength and honor are her clothing; she is confident about the future.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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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 looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She is vigilant over the activities of her household;
28 Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her:
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Her children bless her; her husband praises her:
29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
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"Many women act competently, but you surpass them all!"
30 Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.
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Charm is deceptive and beauty fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Give her a share in the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the city gates.
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Let her share in the results of her work; let her deeds praise her in the city gates.
New Revised Standard Version Bible, copyright 1989, 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.
Copyright © 2011 Common English Bible