New King James Version

English Standard Version

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

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

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

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

3Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

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

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

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

5Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

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

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

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

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 your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

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

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

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

10Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

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

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

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

13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

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

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

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

15She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

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

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

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

17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

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

18She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

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

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

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

20She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

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

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

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

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

22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen 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 sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants.

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

25Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

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

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

27She watches over the ways 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 also, and he praises her:

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

29“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

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

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

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

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

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

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

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.