The Sayings for King Lemuel 1 Brenton My words have been spoken by God—the oracular answer of a king, whom his mother instructed. BSB BSB: These are the words of King Lemuel—the burden that his mother taught him:
2 Brenton What wilt thou keep, my son, what? the words of God. My firstborn son, I speak to thee: what? son of my womb? what? son of my vows? BSB BSB: What shall I say, O my son? What, O son of my womb? What, O son of my vows?
3 Brenton Give not thy wealth to women, nor thy mind and living to remorse. Do all things with counsel: drink wine with counsel. BSB BSB: Do not spend your strength on women or your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4 Brenton Princes are prone to anger: let them then not drink wine: BSB BSB: It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to crave strong drink,
5 Brenton lest they drink, and forget wisdom, and be not able to judge the poor rightly. BSB BSB: lest they drink and forget what is decreed, depriving all the oppressed of justice.
6 Brenton Give strong drink to those that are in sorrow, and the wine to drink to those in pain: BSB BSB: Give strong drink to one who is perishing, and wine to the bitter in soul.
7 Brenton that they may forget their poverty, and may not remember their troubles any more. BSB BSB: Let him drink and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.
8 Brenton Open thy mouth with the word of God, and judge all fairly. BSB BSB: Open your mouth for those with no voice, for the cause of all the dispossessed.
9 Brenton Open thy mouth and judge justly, and plead the cause of the poor and weak. BSB BSB: Open your mouth, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the poor and needy.
The Virtues of a Noble Woman 10 Brenton Who shall find a virtuous woman? for such a one is more valuable than precious stones. BSB BSB: A wife of noble character, who can find? She is far more precious than rubies.
11 Brenton The heart of her husband trusts in her: such a one shall stand in no need of fine spoils. BSB BSB: The heart of her husband trusts in her, and he lacks nothing of value.
12 Brenton For she employs all her living for her husband's good. BSB BSB: She brings him good and not harm all the days of her life.
13 Brenton Gathering wool and flax, she makes it serviceable with her hands. BSB BSB: She selects wool and flax and works with eager hands.
14 Brenton She is like a ship trading from a distance: so she procures her livelihood. BSB BSB: She is like the merchant ships, bringing her food from afar.
15 Brenton And she rises by night, and gives food to her household, and appointed tasks to her maidens. BSB BSB: She rises while it is still night to provide food for her household and portions for her maidservants.
16 Brenton She views a farm, and buys it: and with the fruit of her hands she plants a possession. BSB BSB: She appraises a field and buys it; from her earnings she plants a vineyard.
17 Brenton She strongly girds her loins, and strengthens her arms for work. BSB BSB: She girds herself with strength and shows that her arms are strong.
18 Brenton And she finds by experience that working is good; and her candle goes not out all night. BSB BSB: She sees that her gain is good, and her lamp is not extinguished at night.
19 Brenton She reaches forth her arms to needful works , and applies her hands to the spindle. BSB BSB: She stretches out her hands to the distaff and grasps the spindle with her fingers.
20 Brenton And she opens her hands to the needy, and reaches out fruit to the poor. BSB BSB: She opens her arms to the poor and reaches out her hands to the needy.
21 Brenton Her husband is not anxious about those at home when he tarries anywhere abroad: for all her household are clothed. BSB BSB: When it snows, she has no fear for her household, for they are all clothed in scarlet.
22 Brenton She makes for her husband clothes of double texture, and garments for herself of fine linen and scarlet. BSB BSB: She makes coverings for her bed; her clothing is fine linen and purple.
23 Brenton And her husband becomes a distinguished person in the gates, when he sits in council with the old inhabitants of the land. BSB BSB: Her husband is known at the city gates, where he sits among the elders of the land.
24 Brenton She makes fine linens, and sells girdles to the Chananites: she opens her mouth heedfully and with propriety, and controls her tongue. BSB BSB: She makes linen garments and sells them; she delivers sashes to the merchants.
25 Brenton She puts on strength and honour; and rejoices in the last days. BSB BSB: Strength and honor are her clothing, and she can laugh at the days to come.
26 Brenton The ways of her household are careful, and she eats not the bread of idleness. BSB BSB: She opens her mouth with wisdom, and faithful instruction is on her tongue.
27 Brenton But she opens her mouth wisely, and according to law. BSB BSB: She watches over the affairs of her household and does not eat the bread of idleness.
28 Brenton And her kindness to them sets up her children for them, and they grow rich, and her husband praises her. BSB BSB: Her children rise up and call her blessed; her husband praises her as well:
29 Brenton Many daughters have obtained wealth, many have wrought valiantly; but thou hast exceeded, thou hast surpassed all. BSB BSB: “Many daughters have done noble things, but you surpass them all!”
30 Brenton Charms are false, and woman's beauty is vain: for it is a wise woman that is blessed, and let her praise the fear of the Lord. BSB BSB: Charm is deceptive and beauty is fleeting, but a woman who fears the LORD is to be praised.
31 Brenton Give her of the fruit of her lips; and let her husband be praised in the gates. BSB BSB: Give her the fruit of her hands, and let her works praise her at the gates.
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