3 Do not spend your strength on women,

your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel—

it is not for kings to drink wine,

not for rulers to crave beer,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,

and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

3 Give not thy strength unto women,

Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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

Nor for princes strong drink:

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted.

3 do not waste your strength on women,

on those who ruin kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine.

Rulers should not crave alcohol.

5 For if they drink, they may forget the law

and not give justice to the oppressed.

3 Do not give your strength to women,

Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Nor for princes intoxicating drink;

5 Lest they drink and forget the law,

And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

3 Don’t waste your strength on women

or your time on those who ruin kings.

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.

3 Give not thy strength unto women,

Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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

Nor for princes to say, Where is strong drink?

5 Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And pervert the justice due to any that is afflicted.

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings. 4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers to say, Where is the strong drink? 5 —lest they drink and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.

3 Don’t give your strength to women 

or your power to those who ruin kings. 

4 “It is not for kings, Lemuel. 

It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor. 

5 Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed 

and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people. 

3 Don’t spend your energy on women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine

or for rulers to desire beer.

5 Otherwise, they will drink,

forget what is decreed,

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.

3 Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,

or for rulers to desire strong drink;

5 or else they will drink and forget what has been decreed,

and will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

3 Do not give your strength to the women,

and your ways to destroy kings.

4 It is not for the kings, O Lemuel;

drinking wine is not for the kings,

nor is strong drink for rulers.

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

and he will pervert the rights of all the afflicted.

3 Don’t waste your strength on women.

Don’t waste it on those who destroy kings.

4 “Lemuel, it isn’t good for kings to drink wine.

It isn’t good for rulers to long for beer.

5 If they do, they might drink and forget what the law commands.

They might take away the rights of all those who are beaten down.

3 Do not give your strength to women,

Or your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5 For they will drink and forget what is decreed,

And pervert the rights of all the afflicted.