Proverbs 31:3-9

Christian Standard Bible

³ Don’t spend your energy^(A) on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.^(B)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings^(C) to drink wine^(D)
or for rulers to desire beer.
⁵ Otherwise, he will drink,
forget what is decreed,^(E)
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.^[a](F)
6 Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.^(G)
7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.^(H)
8 Speak up^[b] for those who have no voice,^[c](I)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.^[d]
9 Speak up, judge righteously,^(J)
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.^(K)