New King James Version

New Living Translation

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

1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him.

2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, 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 destroys 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, Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.

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

5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.

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

6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.

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

7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.

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

8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed.

9Open your mouth, judge righteously, 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 virtuous wife? For her worth is far above rubies.

10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies.

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

11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life.

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

12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life.

13She seeks wool and flax, And willingly works 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 rises while it is yet night, And provides food for her household, And a portion for her maidservants.

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 profits she plants a vineyard.

16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard.

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

17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker.

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

18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night.

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

19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber.

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

20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy.

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

21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes.

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

22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.

23Her husband is known in the gates, When he sits among 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 sashes for the merchants.

24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants.

25Strength and honor are her clothing; She shall rejoice in 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 on her tongue is the law of kindness.

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, and he praises her:

28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her:

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

29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, 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 does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.

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

31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.

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

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.