Proverbs 31:1-9 ▼

1 The words of king Lemuel; the oracle which his mother taught him.

2 |Oh, my son. Oh, son of my womb. Oh, son of my vows.

3 Do not give your strength to women, 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 princes to take strong drink,

5 lest they drink, and forget the decree, and pervert the justice due to anyone who is afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish; and wine to the bitter in soul:

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

8 Open your mouth for the mute, in the cause of all who are left desolate.

9 Open your mouth, judge righteously, and serve justice to the poor and needy.|