New King James Version

Christian Standard Bible

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

1The words of King Lemuel, a pronouncement that his mother taught him:

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

2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows?

3Do not give your strength to women, Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer.

5Lest they drink and forget the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed.

6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart.

6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter.

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

7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more.

8Open your mouth for the speechless, In the cause of all who are appointed to die.

8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed.

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

9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.

10Who can find a virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

10Who can find a wife of noble character? She is far more precious than jewels.

11The heart of her husband safely trusts her; So he will have no lack of gain.

11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he will not lack anything good.

12She does him good and not evil All the days of her life.

12She rewards him with good, not evil, all the days of her life.

13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works with her hands.

13She selects wool and flax and works with willing hands.

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

14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from far away.

15She also rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

15She rises while it is still night and provides food for her household and portions for her female servants.

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

16She evaluates a field and buys it; she plants a vineyard with her earnings.

17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms.

17She draws on her strength and reveals that her arms are strong.

18She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night.

18She sees that her profits are good, and her lamp never goes out at night.

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

19She extends her hands to the spinning staff, and her hands hold the spindle.

20She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy.

20Her hands reach out to the poor, and she extends her hands to the needy.

21She is not afraid of snow for her household, For all her household is clothed with scarlet.

21She is not afraid for her household when it snows, for all in her household are doubly clothed.

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

22She makes her own bed coverings; her clothing is fine linen and purple.

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

23Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.

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

24She makes and sells linen garments; she delivers belts to the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come.

25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the time to come.

26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness.

26Her mouth speaks wisdom, and loving 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 activities of her household and is never idle.

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

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

29“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.”

29"Many women have done noble deeds, but you surpass them all!"

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

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

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

31Give her the reward of her labor, and let her works praise her at the city gates.

The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved.

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission.