Proverbs 31:1-9 ▼

1 The words of Lemuel the king—the burden that his mother taught him:

2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what, O son of my vows?

3 Do not give your strength to the women, and your ways to wiping away kings.

4 Not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers strong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget the decree, and pervert the judgment of any of the sons of affliction.

6 Give strong drink to the one perishing, and wine to those bitter of soul.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty, and not remember his trouble anymore.

8 Open your mouth for a mute one, for the cause of all the sons of destitution.

9 Open your mouth, judge with righteousness, and plead the cause of the poor one and needy one.