31 ² What, my son? What, son of my womb? What, son of my vows? 31 ³ Give not your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
31 ⁴ It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to desire strong drink;
31 ⁵ lest they drink and forget what has been decreed,
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
31 ⁶ Give strong drink to him who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;
31 ⁷ let them drink and forget their poverty,
and remember their misery no more.
31 ⁸ Open your mouth for the dumb,
for the rights of all who are left desolate.
31 ⁹ Open your mouth, judge righteously,
maintain the rights of the poor and needy.