Proverbs 31:3-9
Authorized (King James) Version
3 Give not thy strength unto women,
nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
nor for princes strong drink:
5 lest they drink, and forget the law,
and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.
7 Let him drink, and forget his poverty,
and remember his misery no more.
8 Open thy mouth for the dumb
in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
and plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Proverbs 31:3-9
New King James Version
4 (C)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Nor for princes intoxicating drink;
5 (D)Lest they drink and forget the law,
And pervert the justice of all [a]the afflicted.
6 (E)Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
And wine to those who are bitter of heart.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his misery no more.
8 (F)Open your mouth for the speechless,
In the cause of all who are [b]appointed to die.
9 Open your mouth, (G)judge righteously,
And (H)plead the cause of the poor and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit. sons of affliction
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit. sons of passing away
KJV reproduced by permission of Cambridge University Press, the Crown’s patentee in the UK.
Scripture taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved.