Proverbs 31:1-9
Legacy Standard Bible
A Mother’s Oracle
31 The words of King Lemuel, the [a]oracle unto which his mother disciplined him:
2 What, O my son?
And what, O (A)son of my womb?
And what, O son of my (B)vows?
3 (C)Do not give your excellence to women,
Or your ways to that which (D)blots out kings.
4 It is not for (E)kings, O Lemuel,
It is not for kings to (F)drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire strong drink,
5 Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,
And (G)pervert the justice of all the [b]afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to him who is (H)perishing,
And wine to those (I)whose soul is bitter.
7 Let him drink and forget his poverty
And he will not remember his trouble any longer.
8 (J)Open your mouth for the mute,
For the justice of all those [c]passing away.
9 Open your mouth, (K)judge righteously,
And render (L)justice to the afflicted and needy.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:1 Or burden
- Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit sons of passing away
Proverbs 31:1-9
International Standard Version
Counsel from King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of King Lemuel—
a pronouncement with which his mother encouraged him.
2 No,[a] my son!
No,[b] my son whom I conceived![c]
No,[d] my son to whom I gave birth![e]
3 Never devote all your energy to sex,[f]
or dedicate your life[g] to destroying kings.
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
Not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire liquor.
5 Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained,
perverting justice for all the oppressed.
6 Give liquor to someone who is perishing,
and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.[h]
7 Let him drink, forget his poverty,
and remember his troubles no more.
8 Speak for those who cannot speak;
seek justice for all those on the verge of destruction.[i]
9 Speak up, judge righteously,
and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Lit. son of my womb?
- Proverbs 31:2 Or What
- Proverbs 31:2 Lit. son of my vows
- Proverbs 31:3 Lit. women
- Proverbs 31:3 Lit. ways
- Proverbs 31:6 Lit. one whose soul is bitter
- Proverbs 31:8 Lit. all sons of destruction
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