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Proverbs 31:4-8
King James Version
Proverbs 31:4-8
King James Version
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 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 appointed to destruction.
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Proverbs 31:4-8
New International Version
Proverbs 31:4-8
New International Version
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(A)
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink(B) and forget what has been decreed,(C)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(D) for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink(E) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak(F) up for those who cannot speak for themselves,
for the rights of all who are destitute.
Proverbs 31:4-8
English Standard Version
Proverbs 31:4-8
English Standard Version
4 (A)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings (B)to drink wine,
or for rulers to take (C)strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and (D)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who (E)is perishing,
and wine to (F)those in bitter distress;[a]
7 (G)let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 (H)Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[b]
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul
- Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away
Proverbs 31:4-8
Christian Standard Bible
Proverbs 31:4-8
Christian Standard Bible
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings(A) to drink wine(B)
or for rulers to desire beer.
5 Otherwise, he will drink,
forget what is decreed,(C)
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.[a](D)
6 Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.(E)
7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.(F)
8 Speak up[b] for those who have no voice,[c](G)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[d]
Proverbs 31:4-8
New American Standard Bible 1995
Proverbs 31:4-8
New American Standard Bible 1995
4 It is not for (A)kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to (B)drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And (C)pervert the [a]rights of all the [b]afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is (D)perishing,
And wine to him [c](E)whose life is bitter.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty
And remember his trouble no more.
8 (F)Open your mouth for the mute,
For the [d]rights of all the [e]unfortunate.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit judgment
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
- Proverbs 31:6 Lit bitter of soul
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit judgment
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit sons of passing away
New International Version (NIV) 
Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV® Copyright ©1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.® Used by permission. All rights reserved worldwide.
NIV Reverse Interlinear Bible: English to Hebrew and English to Greek. Copyright © 2019 by Zondervan.
English Standard Version (ESV) 
The ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), © 2001 by Crossway, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. ESV Text Edition: 2025.
Christian Standard Bible (CSB)
The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.
New American Standard Bible 1995 (NASB1995) 
New American Standard Bible®, Copyright © 1960, 1971, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. All rights reserved.