New King James Version

King James Bible

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

1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

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

2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

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

3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth 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, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

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

5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

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

6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

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

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

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

8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

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

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

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

10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

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

11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

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

12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

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

14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

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

15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

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

16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

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

17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

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

18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

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

19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

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

20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth 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 of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

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

22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

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

23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

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

24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

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

25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

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

26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

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

27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

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

28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

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

29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

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

30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

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

31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

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

King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com.