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Proverbs 31:4–5

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4It is not for the kings, O Lemuel;

drinking wine is not for the kings,

nor is strong drink for rulers.

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

and he will pervert the rightsa of all the afflicted.b

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Footnotes

  1. aHebrew “right”
  2. bLiterally “sons of affliction”

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.