English Standard Version

King James Bible

1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

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

8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

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

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

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

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

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

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

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

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

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

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

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

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

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

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

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

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

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

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

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

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.