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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:

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

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Footnotes

  1. 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
  2. 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  3. 31:8 Lit Open your mouth, also in v. 9
  4. 31:8 Lit who are mute
  5. 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
Listen to Proverbs 31:1-9
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Proverbs 31:1-9
Holman Christian Standard Bible

The Words of Lemuel

31 The words of King Lemuel,
an oracle[a](A) that his mother taught him:

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

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:1 Or of Lemuel, king of Massa, or of King Lemuel, a burden
  2. Proverbs 31:5 Lit he
  3. Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  4. Proverbs 31:8 Lit Open your mouth
  5. Proverbs 31:8 Lit who are mute
  6. Proverbs 31:8 Lit all the sons of passing away
  7. Proverbs 31:9 Lit Open your mouth
  8. Proverbs 31:9 Lit and justice for
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Proverbs 30
Ecclesiastes 1
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Christian Standard Bible (CSB)

The Christian Standard Bible. Copyright © 2017 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Christian Standard Bible®, and CSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers, all rights reserved.

Holman Christian Standard Bible (HCSB)

Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers, Nashville Tennessee. All rights reserved.