| NET Bible | New Living Translation |
| 1The words of King Lemuel, an oracle that his mother taught him: | 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. |
| 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3Do not give your strength to women, nor your ways to that which ruins 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, or for rulers to crave strong drink, | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. |
| 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, and remove from all the poor their legal rights. | 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. |
| 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those who are bitterly distressed; | 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. |
| 7let them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their misery no more. | 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles 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; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge in righteousness, 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 wife of noble character? For her value is far more than rubies. | 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. |
| 11The heart of her husband has confidence in her, and he has no lack of gain. | 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. |
| 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 finds wool and flax and busily spins it. |
| 14She is like the merchant ships; she brings her food from afar. | 14She is like a merchant’s ship, 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 before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. |
| 16She considers a field and buys it; from her own income she plants a vineyard. | 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She begins her work vigorously, and she strengthens her arms. | 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. |
| 18She knows that her merchandise is good, and her lamp does not go out in the night. | 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. |
| 19Her hands take hold of the distaff, and her hands grasp the spindle. | 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. |
| 20She extends her hand to the poor, and reaches out her hand 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 of her household are clothed with scarlet. | 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. |
| 22She makes for herself coverlets; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. |
| 23Her husband is well-known in the city gate when he sits with the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. |
| 24She makes linen garments and sells them, and supplies the merchants with sashes. | 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. |
| 25She is clothed with strength and honor, and she can laugh at the time to come. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and loving instruction is on her tongue. | 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. |
| 27She watches over the ways of her household, and does not eat the bread of idleness. | 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. |
| 28Her children rise up and call her blessed, her husband also praises her: | 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: |
| 29"Many daughters have done valiantly, but you surpass them all!" | 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. |
| 31Give her credit for what she has accomplished, and let her works praise her in the city gates. | 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. |
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