(A)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
    it is not for kings (B)to drink wine,
    or for rulers to take (C)strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
    and (D)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who (E)is perishing,
    and wine to (F)those in bitter distress;[a]
(G)let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.
(H)Open your mouth for the mute,
    for the rights of all who are destitute.[b]

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul
  2. Proverbs 31:8 Hebrew are sons of passing away

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