| International Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, Lemuel— Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. | 4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
| 5Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. | 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! |
| 7Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. | 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. | 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. | 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She works with her own hands on her clothes — her hands work the sewing spindle. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. | 23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
| 24She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: | 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29"Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!" | 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. | 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
| 31Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise. | 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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