Proverbs 31:2-9
New American Standard Bible
Chapter 31
2What, my son? And what, son of my womb? And what, son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, Or your ways to that which destroys kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel, It is not for kings to drink wine, Or for rulers to desire intoxicating drink, 5Otherwise they will drink and forget what is decreed, And pervert the rights of all the needy. 6Give intoxicating drink to one who is perishing, And wine to one whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his trouble no more. 8Open your mouth for the people who cannot speak, For the rights of all the unfortunate. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, And defend the rights of the poor and needy.King James Version
Chapter 31
2What, my son? and what, the son of my womb? and what, the son of my vows? 3Give not thy strength unto women, nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine; nor for princes strong drink: 5Lest they drink, and forget the law, and pervert the judgment of any of the afflicted. 6Give strong drink unto him that is ready to perish, and wine unto those that be of heavy hearts. 7Let him drink, and forget his poverty, and remember his misery no more. 8Open thy mouth for the dumb in the cause of all such as are appointed to destruction. 9Open thy mouth, judge righteously, and plead the cause of the poor and needy.Christian Standard Bible
Chapter 31
2What should I say, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? 3Don't spend your energy on women or your efforts on those who destroy kings. 4It is not for kings, Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to desire beer. 5Otherwise, he will drink, forget what is decreed, and pervert justice for all the oppressed. 6Give beer to one who is dying and wine to one whose life is bitter. 7Let him drink so that he can forget his poverty and remember his trouble no more. 8Speak up for those who have no voice, for the justice of all who are dispossessed. 9Speak up, judge righteously, and defend the cause of the oppressed and needy.New Living Translation
Chapter 31
2O my son, O son of my womb, O son of my vows, 3do not waste your strength on women, on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, to guzzle wine. Rulers should not crave alcohol.
5For if they drink, they may forget the law and not give justice to the oppressed.
6Alcohol is for the dying, and wine for those in bitter distress.
7Let them drink to forget their poverty and remember their troubles no more.
English Standard Version
Chapter 31
2What are you doing, my son? What are you doing, son of my womb? What are you doing, son of my vows? 3Do not give your strength to women, your ways to those who destroy kings. 4It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings to drink wine, or for rulers to take strong drink, 5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and pervert the rights of all the afflicted. 6Give strong drink to the one who is perishing, and wine to those in bitter distress; 7let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more. 8Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute. 9Open your mouth, judge righteously, defend the rights of the poor and needy.New International Version
3Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.
4It is not for kings, Lemuel-- it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,
5lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.
6Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!
New King James Version