Christian Standard Bible

King James Bible

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

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

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

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

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

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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; nor for princes strong drink:

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

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

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

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

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

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

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

9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

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

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

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

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

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

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

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

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

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

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

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

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

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

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

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

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

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

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk 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 sitteth among the elders of the land.

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

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

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

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

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

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

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

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

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

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall 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 own works praise her in the gates.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.