| New Living Translation | New Living Translation |
| 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. | 1The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. |
| 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, | 2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, |
| 3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. | 3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings. |
| 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol. |
| 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. | 5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed. |
| 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. | 6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress. |
| 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. | 7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more. |
| 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. | 8Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves; ensure justice for those being crushed. |
| 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character | 9Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice. A Wife of Noble Character |
| 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. | 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife? She is more precious than rubies. |
| 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. | 11Her husband can trust her, and she will greatly enrich his life. |
| 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good, not harm, all the days of her life. |
| 13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. | 13She finds wool and flax and busily spins it. |
| 14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like a merchant’s ship, bringing 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 gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household and plan the day’s work for her servant girls. |
| 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She goes to inspect a field and buys it; with her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
| 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. | 17She is energetic and strong, a hard worker. |
| 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. | 18She makes sure her dealings are profitable; her lamp burns late into the night. |
| 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. | 19Her hands are busy spinning thread, her fingers twisting fiber. |
| 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. | 20She extends a helping hand to the poor and opens her arms to the needy. |
| 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. | 21She has no fear of winter for her household, for everyone has warm clothes. |
| 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. | 22She makes her own bedspreads. She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns. |
| 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. | 23Her husband is well known at the city gates, where he sits with the other civic leaders. |
| 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. | 24She makes belted linen garments and sashes to sell to the merchants. |
| 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. | 25She is clothed with strength and dignity, and she laughs without fear of the future. |
| 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. | 26When she speaks, her words are wise, and she gives instructions with kindness. |
| 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. | 27She carefully watches everything in her household and suffers nothing from laziness. |
| 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: | 28Her children stand and bless her. Her husband praises her: |
| 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” | 29“There are many virtuous and capable women in the world, but you surpass them all!” |
| 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. | 30Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last; but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised. |
| 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. | 31Reward her for all she has done. Let her deeds publicly declare her praise. |
| 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. | 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. |
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