Proverbs 31:1-7 ▼

1 The words of King Lemuel, the oracle, which his mother taught him:

2 What, O my son? And what, O son of my womb? And what [shall I advise you], O son of my vows?

3 Do not give your [generative] strength to women [neither foreign wives in marriages of alliances, nor concubines], Nor your ways to that which destroys kings.

4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

5 Otherwise they drink and forget the law and its decrees, And pervert the rights and justice of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink [as medicine] to him who is ready to pass away, And wine to him whose life is bitter.

7 Let him drink and forget his poverty And no longer remember his trouble.