Proverbs 31:1-9 - The Oracle Of King Lemuel

¹ The words of Lemuel, king of Massa: the teaching which he had from his mother.

² What am I to say to you, O Lemuel, my oldest son? and what, O son of my body? and what, O son of my oaths? ³ Do not give your strength to women, or your ways to that which is the destruction of kings. ⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to take wine, or for rulers to say, Where is strong drink? ⁵ For fear that through drinking they may come to have no respect for the law, wrongly judging the cause of those who are in trouble. ⁶ Give strong drink to him who is near to destruction, and wine to him whose soul is bitter: ⁷ Let him have drink, and his need will go from his mind, and the memory of his trouble will be gone. ⁸ Let your mouth be open for those who have no voice, in the cause of those who are ready for death. ⁹ Let your mouth be open, judging rightly, and give right decisions in the cause of the poor and those in need.