20 Wine and beer make people loud and uncontrolled;
    it is not wise to get drunk on them.

¹⁷ Whoever loves pleasure will become poor;
    whoever loves wine and perfume will never be rich.

²⁹ Who has trouble? Who has pain?
    Who fights? Who complains?
Who has unnecessary bruises?
    Who has bloodshot eyes?
³⁰ It is people who drink too much wine,
    who try out all different kinds of strong drinks.
³¹ Don’t stare at the wine when it is red,
    when it sparkles in the cup,
    when it goes down smoothly.
³² Later it bites like a snake
    with poison in its fangs.
³³ Your eyes will see strange sights,
    and your mind will be confused.
³⁴ You will feel dizzy as if you’re in a storm on the ocean,
    as if you’re on top of a ship’s sails.
³⁵ You will think, “They hit me, but I’m not hurt.
    They beat me up, but I don’t remember it.
I wish I could wake up.
    Then I would get another drink.”

⁴ “Kings should not drink wine, Lemuel,
    and rulers should not desire beer.
⁵ If they drink, they might forget the law
    and keep the needy from getting their rights.
⁶ Give beer to people who are dying
    and wine to those who are sad.
⁷ Let them drink and forget their need
    and remember their misery no more.