Holman Christian Standard Bible | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: |
2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? | 2What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? |
3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. | 3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys 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, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, |
5Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. | 5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. |
6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. | 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. |
7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. | 7Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. |
8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. | 8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. |
9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. | 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. |
10Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. | 10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. |
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. |
12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life. | 12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. |
13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. | 13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. |
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. | 14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. |
15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. | 15She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens. |
16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. | 16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. | 17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. |
18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. | 18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. |
19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. |
20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy. | 20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy. |
21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. | 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, For all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
23Her husband is known at the city gates, where 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 and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. |
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. |
26She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. |
27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle. | 27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:" | 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: |
29Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" | 29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." |
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. | 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. |
31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. | 31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. |
Holman Christian Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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