Parallel Bible results for "proverbs 31:1-9"

Proverbs 31:1-9

1 The words of King Lemuel, the strong advice his mother gave him:

1 The sayings of King Lemuel—an inspired utterance his mother taught him.

2 "Oh, son of mine, what can you be thinking of! Child whom I bore! The son I dedicated to God!

2 Listen, my son! Listen, son of my womb! Listen, my son, the answer to my prayers!

3 Don't dissipate your virility on fortune-hunting women, promiscuous women who shipwreck leaders.

3 Do not spend your strength on women, your vigor on those who ruin kings.

4 "Leaders can't afford to make fools of themselves, gulping wine and swilling beer,

4 It is not for kings, Lemuel— it is not for kings to drink wine, not for rulers to crave beer,

5 Lest, hung over, they don't know right from wrong, and the people who depend on them are hurt.

5 lest they drink and forget what has been decreed, and deprive all the oppressed of their rights.

6 Use wine and beer only as sedatives, to kill the pain and dull the ache

6 Let beer be for those who are perishing, wine for those who are in anguish!

7 Of the terminally ill, for whom life is a living death.

7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and remember their misery no more.

8 "Speak up for the people who have no voice, for the rights of all the down-and-outers.

8 Speak up for those who cannot speak for themselves, for the rights of all who are destitute.

9 Speak out for justice! Stand up for the poor and destitute!"

9 Speak up and judge fairly; defend the rights of the poor and needy.