| Berean Study Bible | Holman Christian Standard Bible |
| 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: | 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: |
| 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? | 2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? |
| 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin 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 crave 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 is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. | 5Otherwise, they will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. |
| 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. | 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. |
| 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. | 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. |
| 8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. | 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy. |
| 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. | 10Who can find a capable wife? She is far more precious than jewels. |
| 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good. |
| 12She brings 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 selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away. |
| 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. | 15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings. |
| 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. | 17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong. |
| 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. | 18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night. |
| 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. | 19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle. |
| 20She opens her arms 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. |
| 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. | 21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed. |
| 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where 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 merchants. | 24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants. |
| 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. | 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom and loving instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She watches over the affairs 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 praises her as well: | 28Her sons rise up and call her blessed. Her husband also praises her:" |
| 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” | 29Many women are capable, but you surpass them all!" |
| 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, 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 the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. | 31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates. |
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