31 The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:
² No, my son!
    No, son of my womb!
    No, son of my solemn promises!
³ Don’t give your strength to women,
    your ways to those who wipe out kings.
⁴ It isn’t for kings, Lemuel,
    it isn’t for kings to drink wine,
    for rulers to crave^[a] strong drink.
⁵ Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law,
    and violate the rights of the needy.
⁶ Give strong drink to those who are perishing
    and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.
⁷ Let them drink and forget their poverty
    and no longer remember their toil.
⁸ Speak out on behalf of the voiceless,
    and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.^[b]
9 Speak out in order to judge with righteousness
    and to defend the needy and the poor.