| New Living Translation | King James Bible |
| 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. | 1The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him. |
| 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, | 2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? |
| 3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. | 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: |
| 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. | 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. |
| 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. | 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. |
| 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. | 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. |
| 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. | 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. |
| 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character | 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy. |
| 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. | 10Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies. |
| 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. | 11The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil. |
| 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. | 12She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life. |
| 13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. | 13She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands. |
| 14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar. |
| 15She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. | 15She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens. |
| 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard. |
| 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. | 17She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms. |
| 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. | 18She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night. |
| 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. | 19She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff. |
| 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. | 20She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy. |
| 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. | 21She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet. |
| 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. | 22She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple. |
| 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. | 23Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land. |
| 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. | 24She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant. |
| 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. | 25Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come. |
| 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. | 26She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness. |
| 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. | 27She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness. |
| 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: | 28Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her. |
| 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” | 29Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all. |
| 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. | 30Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised. |
| 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. | 31Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates. |
| Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved. | King James Bible, text courtesy of BibleProtector.com. |
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