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“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.

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Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
    Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!(A)
Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
    your vigor on those who ruin kings.(B)

It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    it is not for kings to drink wine,(C)
    not for rulers to crave beer,

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth

What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows?

Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink:

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