Proverbs 31:3-9
English Standard Version
3 Do (A)not give your strength to women,
your ways to those (B)who destroy kings.
4 (C)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings (D)to drink wine,
or for rulers to take (E)strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and (F)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who (G)is perishing,
and wine to (H)those in bitter distress;[a]
7 (I)let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 (J)Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[b]
9 Open your mouth, (K)judge righteously,
(L)defend the rights of (M)the poor and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul
- Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away
Proverbs 31:3-9
Revised Standard Version
3 Give not your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to desire[a] strong drink;
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the dumb,
for the rights of all who are left desolate.[b]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
maintain the rights of the poor and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:4 Cn: Heb where
- Proverbs 31:8 Heb are sons of passing away
The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Text Edition: 2016. Copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers.
Revised Standard Version of the Bible, copyright © 1946, 1952, and 1971 the Division of Christian Education of the National Council of the Churches of Christ in the United States of America. Used by permission. All rights reserved.