New American Standard Bible 1995

New Living Translation

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

1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

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

2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

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

3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.

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

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.

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

5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

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

6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.

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

7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.

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

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

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

9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character

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

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

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

11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

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

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

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

13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.

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

14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar.

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

15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

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

16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

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

18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

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

19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

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

20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

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

21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.

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

22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

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

23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.

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

24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.

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

25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

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

26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

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

27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

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

28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:

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

29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

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

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

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

31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

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

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.