| Christian Standard Bible | New International Version |
| 1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. | 4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
| 5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. | 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! |
| 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. | 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels. | 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female 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 buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
| 24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: | 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!" | 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, 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. |
| 31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. | 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
| The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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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