| King James Bible | NET Bible |
| 1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. | 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: |
| 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. | 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, |
| 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. | 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. |
| 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. | 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; |
| 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. | 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. | 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. |
| 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. | 10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. | 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. |
| 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. | 13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. |
| 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. |
| 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. | 15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants. |
| 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. | 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. |
| 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. | 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. |
| 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. | 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. |
| 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. | 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. |
| 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. | 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. | 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. |
| 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. |
| 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. | 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. | 28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her: |
| 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. | 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" |
| 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. | 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. |
| 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. | 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. |
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