Christian Standard Bible | New Living Translation |
1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. |
2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. | 3do not waste your strength on women, 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, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. |
5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. | 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. |
6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. | 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. |
7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. | 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles 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; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. | 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character |
10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than 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 not lack anything good. | 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. |
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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it. |
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. | 14She is like a merchant’s ship, 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 before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. |
16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. | 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. | 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. |
18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. | 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. |
19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. | 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. |
20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. | 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. |
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. | 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. |
22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. |
23Her husband is known at the city gates, where 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 and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. | 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. |
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. |
26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. |
27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. | 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. |
28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her: | 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: |
29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!" | 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. |
31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. | 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. |
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | 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. |
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