King James Bible

New Living Translation

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

1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

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

2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows,

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

3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin 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, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.

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

5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

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

6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.

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

7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.

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

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

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

9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character

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

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

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

11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

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

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

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

13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it.

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

14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing 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 gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.

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

16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

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

18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

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

19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

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

20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

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

21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.

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

22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

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

23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders.

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

24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.

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

25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future.

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

26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness.

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

27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness.

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

28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:

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

29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!”

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

30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

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

31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.