Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 31:4–7

Christian Standard BibleOther versions

English

Arabic

Czech

French

German

Hebrew

Hungarian

Italian

Korean

Latin

Portuguese

Russian

Simplified Chinese

Spanish

Traditional Chinese

4It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kingsx to drink winey

or for rulers to desire beer.

5Otherwise, he will drink,

forget what is decreed,z

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.Aa

6Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter.b

7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more.c

Read in Logos

Footnotes

  1. A sons of affliction

Cross references

  1. x1Kg 16:9; 20:16; Ec 10:17
  2. yPr 20:1
  3. zHs 4:11
  4. aPs 72:1–2; Is 28:7
  5. bJb 3:20
  6. cPs 104:15

In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to take strong drink,

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress;

let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

NIVNew International Version (2011)

It is not for kings, Lemuel—

it is not for kings to drink wine,

not for rulers to crave beer,

lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,

and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

Let beer be for those who are perishing,

wine for those who are in anguish!

Let them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

NLTNew Living Translation

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.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

It is not for the kings, O Lemuel;

drinking wine is not for the kings,

nor is strong drink for rulers.

Or else he will drink and forget what has been decreed,

and he will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

Give strong drink to him who is perishing,

and wine to those in bitter distress.

He will drink and forget his poverty,

and his misery he will not remember any more.

KJV 1900King James Version

It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine;

Nor for princes strong drink:

Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish,

And wine unto those that be of heavy hearts.

Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

And remember his misery no more.