Third Millennium Bible TMB
GOD'S WORD Translation GW
1 The words of King Lemuel, the prophecy that 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? And what, the son of my womb? And what, the 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 thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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, nor for princes 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 the law, and pervert the judgment of any of 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 unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
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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 thy mouth for the dumb, in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
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"Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
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Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people."
10 Who can find a virtuous woman? For her price is far above rubies.
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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 doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.
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Her husband trusts her with [all] his heart, and he does not lack anything good.
12 She will do him good and not evil 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 seeketh wool and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.
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"She seeks out wool and linen [with care] and works with willing hands.
14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.
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She is like merchant ships. She brings her food from far away.
15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household and a portion to 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 considereth a field and buyeth it; with the fruit of her hands she planteth 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 girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.
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She puts on strength like a belt and goes to work with energy.
18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good; her candle goeth not out by night.
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She sees that she is making a good profit. Her lamp burns late at night.
19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.
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"She puts her hands on the distaff, and her fingers hold a spindle.
20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 the snow for her household, for all her household are clothed with 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 maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 at the gates, when he sitteth 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 maketh fine linen and selleth it, and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.
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"She makes linen garments and sells them and delivers belts to the merchants.
25 Strength and honor are her clothing, and she shall rejoice in time to come.
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She dresses with strength and nobility, and she smiles at the future.
26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom, and on her tongue is the law of kindness.
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"She speaks with wisdom, and on her tongue there is tender instruction.
27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not 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 arise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth 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 daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all."
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'Many women have done noble work, but you have surpassed them all!'
30 Favor is deceitful, and beauty is vain; but a woman who feareth the LORD, she shall 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 own works praise her at the gates.
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Reward her for what she has done, and let her achievements praise her at the city gates."
Third Millennium Bible (TMB), New Authorized Version, Copyright 1998 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc., Gary, SD 57237. 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.