Christian Standard Bible

English Standard Version

1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him:

1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows?

3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings.

4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink,

5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.

5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter.

6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress;

7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.

7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.

8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.

9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.

10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels.

10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will have no lack of gain.

12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life.

13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.

13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands.

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away.

14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar.

15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants.

15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens.

16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard.

17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.

17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong.

18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.

18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night.

19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle.

19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy.

20She opens her hand to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.

21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet.

22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

22She makes bed coverings for herself; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

23Her husband is known in the gates when he sits among the elders of the land.

24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.

24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchant.

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come.

26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

27She watches over the activities of her household and is never idle.

27She looks well to the ways of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also praises her:

28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her:

29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!"

29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.”

30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.

31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

31Give her of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.

ESV Text Edition: 2016. The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®) copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. The ESV® text has been reproduced in cooperation with and by permission of Good News Publishers. Unauthorized reproduction of this publication is prohibited. All rights reserved.