Proverbs 31:3-9
Common English Bible
3 Don’t give your strength to women,
your ways to those who wipe out kings.
4 It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,
it isn’t for kings to drink wine,
for rulers to crave[a] strong drink.
5 Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,
and violate the rights of the needy.
6 Give strong drink to those who are perishing
and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
7 Let them drink and forget their poverty
and no longer remember their toil.
8 Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.[b]
9 Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
and to defend the needy and the poor.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:4 Or where or or
- Proverbs 31:8 Or all children who are passing away
Proverbs 31:3-9
New International Version
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(B)
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink(C) and forget what has been decreed,(D)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(E) for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink(F) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
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