Proverbs 31:1-9 ▼

1 The words of king Lemuel, the prophecy that his mother taught him:

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

3 Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to them that destroy kings.

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, nor for rulers [to say], Where is the strong drink?

5 lest they drink And forget the law, And pervert the judgment of any of the children of affliction.

6 Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto the bitter of soul:

7 let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more.

8 Open thy mouth for the dumb, for the cause of all those that are left desolate.

9 Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and minister justice to the afflicted and needy.