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

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.