International Standard Version | Berean Study Bible |
1The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. | 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: |
2No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! | 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? |
3Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
4It is not for kings, Lemuel— Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, |
5Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. | 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. |
6Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. | 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. |
7Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. | 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
8Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. | 8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. |
9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. | 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
10Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. | 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. |
11Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. |
12She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. | 12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. |
13She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
14She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
15She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. | 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. |
16She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. | 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. | 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. |
18She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. | 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. |
19She works with her own hands on her clothes — her hands work the sewing spindle. | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
20She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. |
21She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. |
22She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
23Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. | 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. |
24She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. |
25Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. | 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. |
26She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
27She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: | 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: |
29"Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!" | 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” |
30Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. | 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
31Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise. | 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. |
The Holy Bible: International Standard Version® Release 2.1 Copyright © 1996-2012 The ISV Foundation ALL RIGHTS RESERVED INTERNATIONALLY. | The Berean Bible (Berean Study Bible (BSB) © 2016, 2018 by Bible Hub and Berean.Bible. Used by Permission. All rights Reserved. |
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