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.