| International Standard Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. | 1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: |
| 2No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! | 2What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows? |
| 3Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. | 3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys 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, Or for rulers to desire strong drink, |
| 5Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. | 5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. |
| 6Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. | 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. |
| 7Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. | 7Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more. |
| 8Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. | 8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. |
| 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. | 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the afflicted and needy. |
| 10Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. | 10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels. |
| 11Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, And he will have no lack of gain. |
| 12She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. | 12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life. |
| 13She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. | 13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight. |
| 14She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. | 14She is like merchant ships; She brings her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women 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 purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. | 17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. |
| 18She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She works with her own hands on her clothes — her hands work the sewing spindle. | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. |
| 20She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. | 20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself; Her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. | 23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. |
| 25Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. | 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. |
| 26She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. | 26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. |
| 27She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. | 27She looks well to the ways of her household, And does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: | 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: |
| 29"Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!" | 29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; 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. |
| 31Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise. | 31Give her the product of her hands, And let her 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. | 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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