Proverbs 31:1-9
New International Version
Sayings of King Lemuel
31 The sayings(A) of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.
2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb!
Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!(B)
3 Do not spend your strength[a] on women,
your vigor on those who ruin kings.(C)
4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—
it is not for kings to drink wine,(D)
not for rulers to crave beer,
5 lest they drink(E) and forget what has been decreed,(F)
and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6 Let beer be for those who are perishing,
wine(G) for those who are in anguish!
7 Let them drink(H) and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
Footnotes
- Proverbs 31:3 Or wealth
Proverbs 31:1-9
New Revised Standard Version Updated Edition
The Teaching of King Lemuel’s Mother
31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:(A)
2 No, my son! No, son of my womb!
No, son of my vows!(B)
3 Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.(C)
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine
or for rulers to desire[a] strong drink,(D)
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to one who is perishing
and wine to those in bitter distress;
7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Speak out for those who cannot speak,
for the rights of all the destitute.[b](E)
9 Speak out; judge righteously;
defend the rights of the poor and needy.(F)
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