NET Bible

New American Standard Bible 1995

1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him:

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

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

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

3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins 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, or for rulers to crave 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 what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights.

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

6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;

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

7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more.

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

8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying.

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

9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, 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 wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain.

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

12She brings 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 obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands.

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

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

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

15She also gets up while it is still night, and provides food for her household and a portion to her female servants.

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

16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard.

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

17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms.

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

18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night.

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

19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle.

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

20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand 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 of 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 makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land.

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

24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes.

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

25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come.

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

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue.

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

27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness.

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

28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her:

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

29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!"

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

30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

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

31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates.

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

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