Revised Standard Version RSV
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The words of Lemuel, king of Massa, which his mother taught him:
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The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
2 What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?
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"What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?
3 Give not your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.
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Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin 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 is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
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Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;
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Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.
7 let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.
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Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb, for the rights of all who are left desolate.
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"Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
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Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people."
10 A good wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.
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"Who can find a wife with a strong character? 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 trusts her with [all] his heart, and he does not lack anything good.
12 She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.
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She helps him and never harms him 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 linen [with care] and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the ships of the merchant, she brings her food from afar.
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She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.
15 She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and tasks for her maidens.
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She wakes up while it is still dark and gives food to her family and portions of food to her female slaves.
16 She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.
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"She picks out a field and buys it. She plants a vineyard from the profits she has earned.
17 She girds her loins with strength and makes her arms strong.
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She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.
18 She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.
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She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night.
19 She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.
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"She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle.
20 She opens her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hands to the needy.
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She opens her hands to oppressed people and stretches them out to needy people.
21 She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.
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She does not fear for her family when it snows because her whole family has a double layer of clothing.
22 She makes herself coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
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She makes quilts for herself. Her clothes are [made of] linen and purple cloth.
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 at the city gates when he sits with the leaders of the land.
24 She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers girdles to the merchant.
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"She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.
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She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at 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 wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
27 She looks well to the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.
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She keeps a close eye on the conduct of her family, and she 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 and her husband stand up and bless her. In addition, he sings her praises, by saying,
29 "Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all."
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'Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed 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 evaporates, [but] a woman who has the fear of 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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Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates."
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.
GOD'S WORD® is a copyrighted work of God's Word to the Nations. Copyright © 1995 by God's Word to the Nations. All rights reserved. Used by permission.