| NET Bible | New International Version |
| 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel--an inspired utterance his mother taught him. |
| 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, | 2Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers! |
| 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin 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-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer, |
| 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. | 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights. |
| 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; | 6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish! |
| 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. | 7Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. |
| 8Open your mouth on behalf of those unable to speak, for the legal rights of all the dying. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy. |
| 10Who can find a wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. | 10A wife of noble character who can find? She is worth far more than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. | 11Her husband has full confidence in her and lacks nothing of value. |
| 12She brings him good and not evil all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She obtains wool and flax, and she is pleased to work with her hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing 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 gets up while it is still night; she provides food for her family and portions for her female servants. |
| 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; out of her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. | 17She sets about her work vigorously; her arms are strong for her tasks. |
| 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. | 18She sees that her trading is profitable, and her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. | 19In her hand she holds the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
| 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand to the needy. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and extends her hands to the needy. |
| 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household, for all of her household are clothed with scarlet. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household; for all of them are clothed in scarlet. |
| 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; she is clothed in 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 respected at the city gate, where he takes his seat 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 the merchants with sashes. |
| 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity; she can laugh at the days to come. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26She speaks with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
| 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. | 27She watches over the affairs 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 arise and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praises her: |
| 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" | 29"Many women do noble things, but you surpass them all." |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is fleeting, 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. |
| 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. | 31Honor her for all that her hands have done, and let her works bring her praise at the city gate. |
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