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Proverbs 31:1-9 (Listen)

• Proverbs 30
• Proverbs 31
• Ecclesiastes 1

The Words of King Lemuel

31 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:

2 What are you doing, my son?1 What are you doing, fson of my womb?

What are you doing, gson of my vows?

3 Do hnot give your strength to women,

your ways to those iwho destroy kings.

4 jIt is not for kings, O Lemuel,

it is not for kings kto drink wine,

or for rulers to take lstrong drink,

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed

and mpervert the rights of all the afflicted.

6 Give strong drink to the one who nis perishing,

and wine to othose in bitter distress;2

7 plet them drink and forget their poverty

and remember their misery no more.

8 qOpen your mouth for the mute,

for the rights of all who are destitute.3

9 Open your mouth, rjudge righteously,

sdefend the rights of tthe poor and needy.