Proverbs 31:3-9

Amplified Bible

³
Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor ^[a]concubines],
Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.
⁴
It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,^(A)
⁵
Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees,
And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.
⁶
Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away,
And wine to him whose life is bitter.
⁷
Let him drink and forget his poverty
And no longer remember his trouble.
⁸
Open your mouth for the mute,
For the rights of all who are unfortunate and defenseless;^(B)
⁹
Open your mouth, judge righteously,
And administer justice for the afflicted and needy.^(C)

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Footnotes

Proverbs 31:3 See note Gen 22:24.

Proverbs 31:3-9

New International Version

³Do not spend your strength^[a] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.^(A)

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

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