Proverbs 31:3-9
Lexham English Bible
3 Do not give your strength to the women,
and your ways to destroy kings.
4 It is not for the kings, O Lemuel;
drinking wine is not for the kings,
nor is strong drink for rulers.
5 Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed,
and he will pervert the rights[a] of all the afflicted.[b]
6 Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress.[c]
7 He will drink and forget his poverty,
and his misery he will not remember any more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights[d] of all the needy.[e]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteousness,
and defend the poor and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:5 Hebrew “right”
- Proverbs 31:5 Literally “sons of affliction”
- Proverbs 31:6 Literally “to bitterness of soul”
- Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew “right”
- Proverbs 31:8 Literally “the sons of the needy”
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)
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