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? What are you doing,
1son of my womb? What are you doing,
2son of my vows?
3
Do
3not give your strength to women, your ways to those
4who destroy kings.
4
5It is not for kings, O Lemuel, it is not for kings
6to drink wine, or for rulers to take
7strong drink,
5
lest they drink and forget what has been decreed and
8pervert the rights of all the afflicted.
6
Give strong drink to the one who
9is perishing, and wine to
10those in bitter distress;
7
11let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.
8
12Open your mouth for the mute, for the rights of all who are destitute.
9
Open your mouth,
13judge righteously,
14defend the rights of
15the poor and needy.