1
The sayings of King Lemuel, a prophetic revelation, used by his mother to discipline him.
2
"What, my son? What, son to whom I gave birth? What, son of my prayers?
3
Don't give your strength to women or your power to those who ruin kings.
4
"It is not for kings, Lemuel. It is not for kings to drink wine or for rulers to crave liquor.
5
Otherwise, they drink and forget what they have decreed and change the standard of justice for all oppressed people.
6
Give liquor to a person who is dying and wine to one who feels resentful.
7
Such a person drinks and forgets his poverty and does not remember his trouble anymore.
8
"Speak out for the one who cannot speak, for the rights of those who are doomed.
9
Speak out, judge fairly, and defend the rights of oppressed and needy people."