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Proverbs 31:4–7

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4hIt is not for kings, O aLemuel, it is not for kings ito drink wine;

Nor for kprinces strong drink:

5Lest they drink, and forget the law,

And †pervert the judgment †of any of the afflicted.

6lGive strong drink unto him that is mready to perish,

And wine unto those that be †of heavy hearts.

7Let him drink, and forget his poverty,

And remember his misery no more.

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Footnotes

  1. aSo ver. 4. Comp. Num. 3:24. See ch. 10:1.
  2. kch. 8:15. See Judg. 5:3.
  3. †Heb. alter. Ps. 89:34. Je. 2:36 (Heb.). So ch. 24:21 marg.
  4. †Heb. of all the sons of affliction. So ver. 8.
  5. lSo Ps. 104:15. Ecclus. 31:27, 28.
  6. mSee Job 29:13.
  7. †Heb. bitter of soul. See Job 3:20.

Cross references

  1. hEccles. 10:17.
  2. iHos. 4:11.

Public Domain

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.

Copyright 2001 Crossway Bibles

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.

Copyright 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 Biblica, Inc.

CSBChristian Standard Bible

It is not for kings, Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine

or for rulers to desire beer.

Otherwise, he will drink,

forget what is decreed,

and pervert justice for all the oppressed.

Give beer to one who is dying

and wine to one whose life is bitter.

Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty

and remember his trouble no more.

Copyright 2017 Holman Bible Publishers

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.

Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers. All rights reserved.

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.

Copyright 2012 Lexham Press