Berean Study Bible | Berean Study Bible |
1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: | 1These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him: |
2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? | 2What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows? |
3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. | 3Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings. |
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, | 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink, |
5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. | 5lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice. |
6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. | 6Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul. |
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 those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. | 8Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed. |
9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. | 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy. |
10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. | 10A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies. |
11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. | 11The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value. |
12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. | 12She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life. |
13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. | 13She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands. |
14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. | 14She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar. |
15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. | 15She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants. |
16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. | 16She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard. |
17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. | 17She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong. |
18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. | 18She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night. |
19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. | 19She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers. |
20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. | 20She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy. |
21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. | 21When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet. |
22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. | 22She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple. |
23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. | 23Her husband is known at the city gate, where he sits among the elders of the land. |
24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. | 24She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants. |
25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. | 25Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come. |
26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. | 26She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue. |
27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. | 27She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness. |
28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: | 28Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well: |
29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” | 29“Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!” |
30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. | 30Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised. |
31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. | 31Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates. |
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