English Standard Version

Berean Study Bible

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

1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:

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

2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?

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

3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take 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 what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.

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

6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.

7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

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

8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.

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

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

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

10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.

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

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

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

13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.

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

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

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

15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.

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

16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.

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

18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.

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

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.

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

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

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

21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.

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

22She makes coverings for her bed; 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 at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land.

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

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

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

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.

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

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.

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

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, and he praises her:

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:

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

29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”

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

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

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

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

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.

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