Proverbs 31:3-9
21st Century 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 them drink and forget their poverty, and remember their 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.
Read full chapter
Proverbs 31:3-9
American Standard Version
3 Give not thy strength unto women,
Nor thy ways to [a]that which destroyeth kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;
Nor for princes [b]to say, Where is strong drink?
5 Lest they drink, and forget [c]the law,
And pervert the justice due to [d]any that is afflicted.
6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,
And wine unto the bitter in soul:
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 [e]left desolate.
9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously,
And minister justice to the poor and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:3 Or, as otherwise read, them that destroy
- Proverbs 31:4 Another reading is, to desire strong drink.
- Proverbs 31:5 Hebrew that which is decreed.
- Proverbs 31:5 Hebrew all the sons of affliction.
- Proverbs 31:8 Or, ready to pass away. Hebrew the sons of passing away.
Copyright © 1994 by Deuel Enterprises, Inc.
Public Domain (Why are modern Bible translations copyrighted?)