| English Standard Version | New International Version |
| 1The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy 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 take 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 has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; | 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! |
| 7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. | 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10An excellent wife who can find? She is far more precious than jewels. | 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 will have no lack of gain. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She does him good, and not harm, all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She seeks wool and flax, and works with willing hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the ships of the merchant; she brings her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
| 15She rises while it is yet night and provides food for her household and portions for her maidens. | 15She gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She considers a field and buys it; with the fruit of her hands she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She dresses herself with strength and makes her arms strong. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She perceives that her merchandise is profitable. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She puts her hands to the distaff, and her hands hold the spindle. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20She opens her hand 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. |
| 21She is not afraid of snow for her household, for all her household are clothed in scarlet. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She makes bed coverings for herself; 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 in the gates when 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 merchant. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. |
| 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, and she laughs at the time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and the teaching of kindness is on her tongue. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She looks well to the ways 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 also, and he praises her: | 28Her children arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29“Many women have done excellently, but you surpass them all.” | 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30Charm is deceitful, and beauty is vain, 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 of the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her in the gates. | 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
| 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. | New International Version (NIV) Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide. |
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