| Berean Study Bible | New International Version |
| 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin 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, or for rulers to crave 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 what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. | 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 your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. | 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. | 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in fine linen and purple. |
| 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits 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 makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful 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 affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: | 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” | 29"Many women do noble things, 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 is to be praised. |
| 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at 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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