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)
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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