Passage Resources Hebrew/Greek Your Content
Previous Next
Add parallel Print Page Options Listen to Proverbs 31:1-9
Close CSB

Proverbs 31:1-9
Christian Standard Bible

The Words of Lemuel

31 The words of King Lemuel,
a pronouncement[a](A) that his mother taught him:

2 What should I say, my son?
What, son of my womb?(B)
What, son of my vows?
3 Don’t spend your energy(C) on women
or your efforts on those who destroy kings.(D)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,
it is not for kings(E) to drink wine(F)
or for rulers to desire beer.
5 Otherwise, he will drink,
forget what is decreed,(G)
and pervert justice for all the oppressed.[b](H)
6 Give beer to one who is dying
and wine to one whose life is bitter.(I)
7 Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty
and remember his trouble no more.(J)
8 Speak up[c] for those who have no voice,[d](K)
for the justice of all who are dispossessed.[e]
9 Speak up, judge righteously,(L)
and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.(M)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
  2. 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  3. 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
  4. 31:8 Lit who are mute
  5. 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
Listen to Proverbs 31:1-9
Close NIV

Proverbs 31:1-9
New International Version

Sayings of King Lemuel

31 The sayings(A) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

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)

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
Next
Proverbs 30
Ecclesiastes 1
Next
dropdown
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 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.

July Summer Surge

More on the NIV