(A)It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
    it is not for kings (B)to drink wine,
    or for rulers to take (C)strong drink,
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
    and (D)pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
Give strong drink to the one who (E)is perishing,
    and wine to (F)those in bitter distress;[a]
(G)let them drink and forget their poverty
    and remember their misery no more.

Read full chapter

Footnotes

  1. Proverbs 31:6 Hebrew those bitter in soul

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.
    Rulers should not crave alcohol.
For if they drink, they may forget the law
    and not give justice to the oppressed.
Alcohol is for the dying,
    and wine for those in bitter distress.
Let them drink to forget their poverty
    and remember their troubles no more.

Read full chapter

Open your mouth, (A)judge righteously,
    (B)defend the rights of (C)the poor and needy.

Read full chapter

Yes, speak up for the poor and helpless,
    and see that they get justice.

Read full chapter