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:

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

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Footnotes

31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
31:5 Lit sons of affliction
31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
31:8 Lit who are mute
31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away

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