Logos Bible Study

Proverbs 31:3–5

New International Reader’s Version (1998)Other versions

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3Don’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.

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

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

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In other versions

ESVEnglish Standard Version

Do not give your strength to women,

your ways to those who destroy kings.

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)

Do not spend your strength on women,

your vigor on those who ruin kings.

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

Don’t spend your energy on women

or your efforts on those who destroy kings.

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

do not waste your strength on women,

on those who ruin kings.

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.

LEBThe Lexham English Bible

Do not give your strength to the women,

and your ways to destroy kings.

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.

KJV 1900King James Version

Give not thy strength unto women,

Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings.

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.