| NET Bible | International Standard Version |
| 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The words of King Lemuel— a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him. |
| 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, | 2No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth! |
| 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. | 3Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, | 4It is not for kings, Lemuel— Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor. |
| 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. | 5Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed. |
| 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; | 6Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed. |
| 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. | 7Let him drink, forget his poverty, and remember his troubles no more. |
| 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. | 8Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed. |
| 10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. | 10Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels. |
| 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life. | 12She will bring good to him—never evil— every day of her life. |
| 13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. | 13She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. | 14She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away. |
| 15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants. | 15She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants. |
| 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. | 16She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. | 17She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength. |
| 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. | 18She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. | 19She works with her own hands on her clothes — her hands work the sewing spindle. |
| 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. | 20She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need. |
| 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. | 21She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed. |
| 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth. |
| 23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land. |
| 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. | 24She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers. |
| 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love. |
| 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. | 27She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her: | 28Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her: |
| 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" | 29"Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!" |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. | 30Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised. |
| 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. | 31Reward her for her work— let her actions result in public praise. |
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