The Words of Lemuel

31:1 The words of King Lemuel,1

an oracle2 that his mother taught him:

31:2 O3 my son, O son of my womb,

O son4 of my vows,

31:3 Do not give your strength5 to women,

nor your ways6 to that which ruins7 kings.

31:4 It is not for kings,8 O Lemuel,

it is not for kings to drink wine,9

or for rulers to crave strong drink,10

31:5 lest they drink and forget what is decreed,

and remove11 from all the poor12 their legal rights.13

31:6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,14

and wine to those who are bitterly distressed;15

31:7 let them16 drink and forget17 their poverty,

and remember their misery no more.

31:8 Open your mouth18 on behalf of those unable to speak,19

for the legal rights of all the dying.20

31:9 Open your mouth, judge in righteousness,21

and plead the cause22 of the poor and needy.