Proverbs 31:3-9

New American Standard Bible 1995

^3 (A)Do not give your strength to women,
Or your ways to that which ^(B)destroys kings.
⁴ It is not for ^(C)kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to ^(D)drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
⁵ For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And ^(E)pervert the ^[a]rights of all the ^[b]afflicted.
⁶ Give strong drink to him who is ^(F)perishing,
And wine to him ^[c](G)whose life is bitter.
⁷ Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more.
^8 (H)Open your mouth for the mute,
For the ^[d]rights of all the ^[e]unfortunate.
⁹ Open your mouth, ^(I)judge righteously,
And ^[f]defend the ^(J)rights of the afflicted and needy.