Proverbs 31:1 - 31:9

The words of King Lemuel, the oracle unto which his mother disciplined him: 2

What, O my son?

And what, O son of my womb?

And what, O son of my vows?

Do not give your excellence to women,

Or your ways to that which blots out kings.

It is not for kings, O Lemuel,

It is not for kings to drink wine,

Or for rulers to desire strong drink,

Lest he drink and forget what is decreed,

And pervert the justice of all the afflicted.

Give strong drink to him who is perishing,

And wine to those whose soul is bitter.

Let him drink and forget his poverty

And he will not remember his trouble any longer.

Open your mouth for the mute,

For the justice of all those passing away.

Open your mouth, judge righteously,

And render justice to the afflicted and needy.