| International Standard Version | King James Bible |
| 1The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. | 1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. |
| 2No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! | 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? |
| 3Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. | 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, Lemuel— Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: |
| 5Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. | 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. |
| 6Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. | 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. |
| 7Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. | 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
| 8Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. | 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. |
| 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. | 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. | 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. |
| 11Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. | 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. |
| 12She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. | 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. | 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. |
| 14She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. | 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. | 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. |
| 16She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. | 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
| 17She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. | 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. |
| 18She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. |
| 19She works with her own hands on her clothes — her hands work the sewing spindle. | 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. |
| 20She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. | 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. | 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. | 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. |
| 23Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. | 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
| 24She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. | 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
| 25Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. | 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
| 26She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. | 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. |
| 27She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. | 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: | 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. |
| 29"Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!" | 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. | 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. |
| 31Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise. | 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation
ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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