The Oracle Of King Lemuel

1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him.

1 The words of King Lemuel, the (a)oracle which his mother taught him:

1 The words of King Lemuel,an oracle(a)(A) that his mother taught him:

1 The words of King Lemuel a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.

1 The words of (a)King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:

2 What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

2 What, O my son?And what, O (A)son of my womb?And what, O son of my (B)vows?

2 What should I say, my son?What, son of my womb?(B)What, son of my vows?

2 No, my son! No, my son whom I conceived! No, my son to whom I gave birth!

2 What, O my (b)son?And what, O son of my womb?And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

3 (C)Do not give your strength to women,Or your ways to that which (D)destroys kings.

3 Don’t spend your energy(C) on womenor your efforts on those who destroy kings.(D)

3 Never devote all your energy to sex, or dedicate your life to destroying kings.

3 Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor (c)concubines],Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

4 It is not for (E)kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to (F)drink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,it is not for kings(E) to drink wine(F)or for rulers to desire beer.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel Not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire liquor.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,It is not for kings to drink wine,Or for rulers to desire strong drink,(A)

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,And (G)pervert the (b)rights of all the (c)afflicted.

5 Otherwise, they(b) will drink,forget what is decreed,(G)and pervert justice for all the oppressed.(c)(H)

5 Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained, perverting justice for all the oppressed.

5 Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

6 Give strong drink to him who is (H)perishing,And wine to him (d)(I)whose life is bitter.

6 Give beer to one who is dyingand wine to one whose life is bitter.(I)

6 Give liquor to someone who is perishing, and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.

6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,And wine to him whose life is bitter.

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

7 Let him drink and forget his povertyAnd remember his trouble no more.

7 Let him drink so that he can forget his povertyand remember his trouble no more.(J)

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

7 Let him drink and forget his povertyAnd no longer remember his trouble.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.

8 (J)Open your mouth for the mute,For the (e)rights of all the (f)unfortunate.

8 Speak up(d) for those who have no voice,(e)(K)for the justice of all who are dispossessed.(f)

8 Speak for those who cannot speak; seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.

8 Open your mouth for the mute,For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;(B)

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.

9 Open your mouth, (K)judge righteously,And (g)defend the (L)rights of the afflicted and needy.

9 Speak up,(g) judge righteously,(L)and defend the cause of(h) the oppressed and needy.(M)

9 Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.(C)

An Excellent Woman

10 Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

10 An (M)excellent wife, who can find?For her worth is far (N)above jewels.

10 Who can find a capable wife?(i)(N)She is far more precious than jewels.(j)

10 Who can find a capable wife? Her value far exceeds the finest jewels.

10 (d)An excellent woman [one who is spiritual, capable, intelligent, and virtuous], who is he who can find her?Her value is more precious than jewels and her worth is far above rubies or pearls.(D)

11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,And he will have no lack of gain.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her,and he will not lack anything good.

11 Her husband has full confidence in her; as a result, he lacks nothing of value.

11 The heart of her husband trusts in her [with secure confidence],And he will have no lack of gain.

12 She will do him good and not evil all the days of her life.

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

12 She rewards him with good, not evil,all the days of her life.

12 She will bring good to him never evil every day of her life.

12 She comforts, encourages, and does him only good and not evilAll the days of her life.

13 She seeketh wool, and flax, and worketh willingly with her hands.

13 She looks for wool and flaxAnd works with her (h)hands (i)in delight.

13 She selects wool and flaxand works with willing hands.

13 She seeks out wool and flax, working with eager hands.

13 She looks for wool and flaxAnd works with willing hands in delight.

14 She is like the merchants' ships; she bringeth her food from afar.

14 She is like (O)merchant ships;She brings her food from afar.

14 She is like the merchant ships,bringing her food from far away.(O)

14 She is like a seagoing ship that brings her food from far away.

14 She is like the merchant ships [abounding with treasure];She brings her [household’s] food from far away.

15 She riseth also while it is yet night, and giveth meat to her household, and a portion to her maidens.

15 She (P)rises also while it is still nightAnd (Q)gives food to her householdAnd (j)portions to her maidens.

15 She rises while it is still night(P)and provides food for her householdand portions(k) for her female servants.(Q)

15 She rises while it is still night, preparing meals for her family and providing for her women servants.

15 She rises also while it is still nightAnd gives food to her householdAnd assigns tasks to her maids.(E)

16 She considereth a field, and buyeth it: with the fruit of her hands she planteth a vineyard.

16 She considers a field and buys it;From (k)her earnings she plants a vineyard.

16 She evaluates a field and buys it;she plants a vineyard with her earnings.(l)(R)

16 She evaluates a field and purchases it; from the proceeds she plants a vineyard.

16 She considers a field before she buys or accepts it [expanding her business prudently];With her profits she plants fruitful vines in her vineyard.

17 She girdeth her loins with strength, and strengtheneth her arms.

17 She (R)girds (l)herself with strengthAnd makes her arms strong.

17 She draws on her strength(m)and reveals that her arms are strong.(S)

17 She clothes herself with fortitude, and fortifies her arms with strength.

17 She equips herself with strength [spiritual, mental, and physical fitness for her God-given task]And makes her arms strong.

18 She perceiveth that her merchandise is good: her candle goeth not out by night.

18 She senses that her gain is good;Her lamp does not go out at night.

18 She sees that her profits are good,and her lamp never goes out at night.(T)

18 She is confident that her profits are sufficient. Her lamp does not go out at night.

18 She sees that her gain is good;Her lamp does not go out, but it burns continually through the night [she is prepared for whatever lies ahead].

19 She layeth her hands to the spindle, and her hands hold the distaff.

19 She stretches out her hands to the distaff,And her (m)hands grasp the spindle.

19 She extends her hands to the spinning staff,and her hands hold the spindle.(U)

19 She works with her own hands on her clothes her hands work the sewing spindle.

19 She stretches out her hands to the (e)distaff,And her hands hold the spindle [as she spins wool into thread for clothing].

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

20 She (n)(S)extends her hand to the poor,And she stretches out her hands to the needy.

20 Her hands reach(n) out to the poor,and she extends her hands to the needy.(V)

20 She reaches out to the poor, opening her hands to those in need.

20 She opens and extends her hand to the poor,And she reaches out her filled hands to the needy.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household: for all her household are clothed with scarlet.

21 She is not afraid of the snow for her household,For all her household are (T)clothed with scarlet.

21 She is not afraid for her household when it snows,for all in her household are doubly clothed.(o)

21 She is unafraid of winter's effect on her household, because all of them are warmly clothed.

21 She does not fear the snow for her household,For all in her household are clothed in [expensive] scarlet [wool].(F)

22 She maketh herself coverings of tapestry; her clothing is silk and purple.

22 She makes (U)coverings for herself;Her clothing is (V)fine linen and (W)purple.

22 She makes her own bed coverings;(W)her clothing is fine linen(X) and purple.(Y)

22 She creates her own bedding, using fine linen and violet cloth.

22 She makes for herself coverlets, cushions, and rugs of tapestry.Her clothing is linen, pure and fine, and purple [wool].(G)

23 Her husband is known in the gates, when he sitteth among the elders of the land.

23 Her husband is known (X)in the gates,When he sits among the elders of the land.

23 Her husband is known at the city gates,where he sits among the elders of the land.(Z)

23 Her husband is well known; he sits among the leaders of the land.

23 Her husband is known in the [city’s] gates,When he sits among the elders of the land.(H)

24 She maketh fine linen, and selleth it; and delivereth girdles unto the merchant.

24 She makes (Y)linen garments and sells them,And (o)supplies belts to the (p)tradesmen.

24 She makes and sells linen garments;she delivers belts(p) to the merchants.

24 She designs and sells linen garments, supplying accessories to clothiers.

24 She makes [fine] linen garments and sells them;And supplies sashes to the merchants.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

25 Strength and (Z)dignity are her clothing,And she smiles at the (q)future.

25 Strength(AA) and honor are her clothing,(AB)and she can laugh at the time to come.(AC)

25 Strength and dignity are her garments; she smiles about the future.

25 Strength and dignity are her clothing and her position is strong and secure;And she smiles at the future [knowing that she and her family are prepared].

26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

26 She (AA)opens her mouth in wisdom,And the (r)teaching of kindness is on her tongue.

26 She opens her mouth with wisdomand loving instruction(q) is on her tongue.

26 She speaks wisely, teaching with gracious love.

26 She opens her mouth in [skillful and godly] wisdom,And the teaching of kindness is on her tongue [giving counsel and instruction].

27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

27 She looks well to the ways of her household,And does not eat the (AB)bread of idleness.

27 She watches over the activities of her household(AD)and is never idle.(r)

27 She looks discretely to the affairs of her household, and she is never lazy.

27 She looks well to how things go in her household,And does not eat the bread of idleness.(I)

28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

28 Her children rise up and bless her;Her husband also, and he praises her, saying:

28 Her sons rise up and call her blessed.Her husband also praises her:

28 Her children stand up and encourage her, as does her husband, who praises her:

28 Her children rise up and call her blessed (happy, prosperous, to be admired);Her husband also, and he praises her, saying,

29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

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

29 “Many women(s) are capable,but you surpass them all!”(AE)

29 "Many women have done wonderful things," he says, "but you surpass all of them!"

29 “Many daughters have done nobly, and well [with the strength of character that is steadfast in goodness],(f)But you excel them all.”

30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the LORD, she shall be praised.

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain,But a woman who (s)(AC)fears the Lord, she shall be praised.

30 Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting,(AF)but a woman who fears the Lord will be praised.

30 Charm is deceitful and beauty fades; but a woman who fears the LORD will be praised.

30 Charm and grace are deceptive, and [superficial] beauty is vain,But a woman who fears the Lord [reverently worshiping, obeying, serving, and trusting Him with awe-filled respect], she shall be praised.

31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

31 Give her the (t)product of her hands,And let her works praise her in the gates.

31 Give her the reward of her labor,(t)and let her works praise her at the city gates.

31 Reward her for her work let her actions result in public praise.

31 Give her of the product of her hands,And let her own works praise her in the gates [of the city].(J)

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