| Berean Study Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. |
| 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. | 3do not waste your strength on women, 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, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. |
| 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. | 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. |
| 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. | 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. |
| 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. | 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles 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; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character |
| 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. | 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. | 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. |
| 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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like a merchant’s ship, 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 before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. |
| 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. | 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. |
| 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. | 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. |
| 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. | 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. |
| 20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. |
| 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. | 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. |
| 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. |
| 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. |
| 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. | 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. |
| 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. | 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. |
| 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. | 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: | 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: |
| 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” | 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. |
| 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. | 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. |
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