The Other Proverbs 31 Woman

The Words of King Lemuel

1 The words of King Lemuel. An oracle that his mother taught him:
2 What are you doing, my son?[a] What are you doing, son of my womb?
What are you doing, son of my vows?
3 Do not give your strength to women,
your ways to those who destroy kings.
4 It is not for kings, O Lemuel,
it is not for kings to drink wine,
or for rulers to take strong drink,
5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed
and pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6 Give strong drink to the one who is perishing,
and wine to those in bitter distress;[b]
7 let them drink and forget their poverty
and remember their misery no more.
8 Open your mouth for the mute,
for the rights of all who are destitute.[c]
9 Open your mouth, judge righteously,
defend the rights of the poor and needy.

The Holy Bible, English Standard Version. ESV® Permanent Text Edition® (2016). Copyright