| King James Bible | New International Version |
| 1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: | 4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
| 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. | 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! |
| 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. | 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. | 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. | 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat among the elders of the land. |
| 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. | 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. | 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall 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 own works praise her in the gates. | 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
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