New Living Translation

1 The sayings of King Lemuel contain this message, which his mother taught him. 2 O my son, O son of my womb,<br>O son of my vows,<br> 3 do not waste your strength on women,<br>on those who ruin kings.<br> 4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.<br>Rulers should not crave alcohol.<br> 5 For if they drink, they may forget the law<br>and not give justice to the oppressed.<br> 6 Alcohol is for the dying,<br>and wine for those in bitter distress.<br> 7 Let them drink to forget their poverty<br>and remember their troubles no more.<br> 8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;<br>ensure justice for those being crushed.<br> 9 Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,<br>and see that they get justice.<br> 10 Who can find a virtuous and capable wife?<br>She is more precious than rubies.<br> 11 Her husband can trust her,<br>and she will greatly enrich his life.<br> 12 She brings him good, not harm,<br>all the days of her life.<br> 13 She finds wool and flax<br>and busily spins it.<br> 14 She is like a merchant’s ship,<br>bringing her food from afar.<br> 15 She gets up before dawn to prepare breakfast for her household<br>and plan the day’s work for her servant girls.<br> 16 She goes to inspect a field and buys it;<br>with her earnings she plants a vineyard.<br> 17 She is energetic and strong,<br>a hard worker.<br> 18 She makes sure her dealings are profitable;<br>her lamp burns late into the night.<br> 19 Her hands are busy spinning thread,<br>her fingers twisting fiber.<br> 20 She extends a helping hand to the poor<br>and opens her arms to the needy.<br> 21 She has no fear of winter for her household,<br>for everyone has warm clothes.<br> 22 She makes her own bedspreads.<br>She dresses in fine linen and purple gowns.<br> 23 Her husband is well known at the city gates,<br>where he sits with the other civic leaders.<br> 24 She makes belted linen garments<br>and sashes to sell to the merchants.<br> 25 She is clothed with strength and dignity,<br>and she laughs without fear of the future.<br> 26 When she speaks, her words are wise,<br>and she gives instructions with kindness.<br> 27 She carefully watches everything in her household<br>and suffers nothing from laziness.<br> 28 Her children stand and bless her.<br>Her husband praises her:<br> 29 “There are many virtuous and capable women in the world,<br>but you surpass them all!”<br> 30 Charm is deceptive, and beauty does not last;<br>but a woman who fears the LORD will be greatly praised.<br> 31 Reward her for all she has done.<br>Let her deeds publicly declare her praise.<br>