It is not for (A)kings, Lemuel,
It is not for kings to (B)drink wine,
Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink,
Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed,
And (C)pervert the [a]rights of all the [b]needy.
Give intoxicating drink to one who is (D)perishing,
And wine to one [c](E)whose life is bitter.
Let him drink and forget his poverty,
And remember his trouble no more.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:5 Lit judgment
  2. Proverbs 31:5 Lit sons of affliction
  3. Proverbs 31:6 Lit bitter of soul

It is not for kings, Lemuel—
    Not for kings to drink wine
        or for rulers to desire liquor.
Otherwise, they may drink and forget what has been ordained,
    perverting justice for all the oppressed.

Give liquor to someone who is perishing,
    and wine to someone who is deeply depressed.[a]
Let him drink, forget his poverty,
    and remember his troubles no more.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:6 Lit. one whose soul is bitter

Open your mouth, (A)judge righteously,
And [a]defend the (B)rights of the poor and needy.

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Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:9 Lit judge the afflicted

Speak up, judge righteously,
    and defend the rights of the afflicted and oppressed.

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