King James Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

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

1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him:

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

2What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

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

5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

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

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

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

7Let him drink and forget his poverty And remember his trouble no more.

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

8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate.

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

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

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

10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above jewels.

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

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

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

12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

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

13She looks for wool and flax And works with her hands in delight.

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

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

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

15She rises also while it is still night And gives food to her household And portions to her maidens.

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

16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong.

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

18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night.

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

19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle.

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

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

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

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

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

24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen.

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

25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future.

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

26She opens her mouth in wisdom, And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

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

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

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

28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

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

29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all."

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised.

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

31Give her the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org