| New King James Version | New American Standard Bible 1995 |
| 1The words of King Lemuel, the utterance which his mother taught him: | 1The words of King Lemuel, the oracle which his mother taught him: |
| 2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, 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 destroys 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, Nor for princes intoxicating 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 the law, And pervert the justice of all the afflicted. | 5For they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the afflicted. |
| 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to those who are bitter of heart. | 6Give strong drink to him who is perishing, And wine to him whose life is bitter. |
| 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more. | 7Let him drink and 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. | 8Open your mouth for the mute, For the rights of all the unfortunate. |
| 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, 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 virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies. | 10An excellent wife, who can find? For her worth is far above 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 have no lack of gain. |
| 12She does 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 seeks wool and flax, And willingly works 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 rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants. | 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 profits she plants a vineyard. | 16She considers a field and buys it; From her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She girds herself with strength, And strengthens her arms. | 17She girds herself with strength And makes her arms strong. |
| 18She perceives that her merchandise is good, And her lamp does not go out by night. | 18She senses that her gain is good; Her lamp does not go out at night. |
| 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hand holds the spindle. | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff, And her hands grasp the spindle. |
| 20She extends her hand to the poor, Yes, she reaches out her hands to the needy. | 20She extends her hand to the poor, And she stretches out 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 makes coverings for herself; 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 in the gates, When he sits among the elders of the land. |
| 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies sashes for the merchants. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them, And supplies belts to the tradesmen. |
| 25Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in time to come. | 25Strength and dignity are her clothing, And she smiles at the future. |
| 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, And on her tongue is the law of kindness. | 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, and he praises her: | 28Her children rise up and bless her; Her husband also, and he praises her, saying: |
| 29“Many daughters have done well, But you excel them all.” | 29"Many daughters have done nobly, But you excel them all." |
| 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is passing, But a woman who fears the LORD, she shall be praised. | 30Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, But a woman who fears 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 the product of her hands, And let her works praise her in the gates. |
| The Holy Bible, New King James Version, Copyright © 1982 Thomas Nelson. All rights reserved. | New American Standard Bible Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation, La Habra, Calif. All rights reserved. For Permission to Quote Information visit //www.lockman.org |
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