Revised Standard Version RSV
Good News Translation GNT
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
1
These are the solemn words which King Lemuel's mother said to him:
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
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"You are my own dear son, the answer to my prayers. What shall I tell you?
3 Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
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Don't spend all your energy on sex and all your money on women; they have destroyed 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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Listen, Lemuel. Kings should not drink wine or have a craving for alcohol.
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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When they drink, they forget the laws and ignore the rights of people in need.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
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Alcohol is for people who are dying, for those who are in misery.
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 unhappiness.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
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"Speak up for people who cannot speak for themselves. Protect the rights of all who are helpless.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak for them and be a righteous judge. Protect the rights of the poor and needy."
10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
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How hard it is to find a capable wife! She is worth far more than jewels!
11 The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.
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Her husband puts his confidence in her, and he will never be poor.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
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As long as she lives, she does him good and never harm.
13 She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.
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She keeps herself busy making wool and linen cloth.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.
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She brings home food from out-of-the-way places, as merchant ships do.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.
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She gets up before daylight to prepare food for her family and to tell her servant women what to do.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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She looks at land and buys it, and with money she has earned she plants a vineyard.
17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
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She is a hard worker, strong and industrious.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She knows the value of everything she makes, and works late into the night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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She spins her own thread and weaves her own cloth.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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She is generous to the poor and needy.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
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She doesn't worry when it snows, because her family has warm clothing.
22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes bedspreads and wears clothes of fine purple linen.
23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sits among the elders of the land.
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Her husband is well known, one of the leading citizens.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.
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She makes clothes and belts, and sells them to merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
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She is strong and respected and not afraid of the future.
26 She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.
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She speaks with a gentle wisdom.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She is always busy and looks after her family's needs.
28 Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:
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Her children show their appreciation, and her husband praises her.
29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
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He says, "Many women are good wives, but you are the best of 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 disappears, but a woman who honors the Lord should be praised.
31 Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.
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Give her credit for all she does. She deserves the respect of everyone.
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.
Scripture taken from the Good News Translation - Second Edition, Copyright 1992 by American Bible Society. Used by Permission.