² Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!^(B)
3 Do not spend your strength^[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.^(C)

⁴ It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,^(D)
    not for rulers to crave beer,
⁵ lest they drink^(E) and forget what has been decreed,^(F)
    and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
⁶ Let beer be for those who are perishing,
    wine^(G) for those who are in anguish!
⁷ Let them drink^(H) and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

⁸ Speak^(I) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.
⁹ Speak up and judge fairly;
    defend the rights of the poor and needy.^(J)