Proverbs 31:1-9

Living Bible

31 These are the wise sayings of King Lemuel of Massa,^[a] taught to him at his mother’s knee:

² O my son, whom I have dedicated to the Lord, ³ do not spend your time with women—the royal pathway to destruction.

⁴ And it is not for kings, O Lemuel, to drink wine and whiskey. ⁵ For if they drink, they may forget their duties and be unable to give justice to those who are oppressed. ^6-7 Hard liquor is for sick men at the brink of death, and wine for those in deep depression. Let them drink to forget their poverty and misery.

⁸ You should defend those who cannot help themselves. ⁹ Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless, and see that they get justice.