| English Standard Version | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle 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 should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? |
| 3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. | 3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy 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, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. |
| 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. | 5Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. |
| 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; | 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. |
| 7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. | 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. |
| 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. | 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. |
| 10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. | 10Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. |
| 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 will not lack anything good. |
| 12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. | 12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with willing 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 far away. |
| 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 and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. | 16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. |
| 17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. | 17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. |
| 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. |
| 19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. | 19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
| 20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | 20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. | 21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. |
| 22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes her own bed coverings; 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 gates, where he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant. | 24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts 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 time to come. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving 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 activities of her household and is never idle. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: | 28Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:" |
| 29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” | 29Many women are capable, 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 will be praised. |
| 31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. | 31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. |
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