Berean Study Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

2What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy.

10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain.

12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.

12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.

14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar.

15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

15She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet.

22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.

23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.

24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.

31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

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New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org