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

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Footnotes

  1. 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  2. 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
  3. 31:8 Lit who are mute
  4. 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:5 Lit he
  2. Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  3. Proverbs 31:8 Lit Open your mouth
  4. Proverbs 31:8 Lit who are mute
  5. Proverbs 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
  6. Proverbs 31:9 Lit Open your mouth
  7. Proverbs 31:9 Lit and justice for