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Wise Words of King Lemuel

31 These are the words of King Lemuel, the message his mother taught him:

“My son, I gave birth to you.
    You are the son I prayed for.
Don’t waste your strength on women
    or your time on those who ruin kings.

“Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel,
    and rulers should not desire beer.
If they drink, they might forget the law
    and keep the needy from getting their rights.
Give beer to people who are dying
    and wine to those who are sad.
Let them drink and forget their need
    and remember their misery no more.

“Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves;
    defend the rights of all those who have nothing.
Speak up and judge fairly,
    and defend the rights of the poor and needy.”

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