Proverbs 31:1-9

Words of King Lemuel

1 The words of King Lemuel of Massa, which his mother taught him:

2 No, my son! No, son of my womb! No, son of my solemn promises!

3 Don't give your strength to women, your ways to those who wipe out kings.

4 It isn't for kings, Lemuel, it isn't for kings to drink wine, for rulers to crave strong drink.

5 Otherwise, they will drink and forget the law, and violate the rights of the needy.

6 Give strong drink to those who are perishing and wine to those whose hearts are bitter.

7 Let them drink and forget their poverty and no longer remember their toil.

8 Speak out on behalf of the voiceless, and for the rights of all who are vulnerable.

9 Speak out in order to judge with righteousness and to defend the needy and the poor.

Proverbs 31:1-9 Meaning and Commentary

INTRODUCTION TO PROVERBS 31

This chapter contains the last part of the book of Proverbs; which some reckon the fifth, others the sixth. It contains the instructions of the mother of a prince, whose name was Lemuel, which she gave unto him; and which are so valuable, as to be annexed to the proverbs of Solomon. The preface or introduction to them is in Pr 31:1; the address to her son, Pr 31:2. The vices she cautions him against are uncleanness and intemperance; which she dissuades from, because of the pernicious consequences of both to kings and to their subjects, Pr 31:3-5. Advises rather to give wine and strong drink to poor people, such as are in distress; as being more useful to them, at least less prejudicial, Pr 31:6,7; and exhorts her son to the duties of his office; by pleading the cause of the poor and injured, and administering justice to them, Pr 31:8,9. And then at large describes a virtuous woman; perhaps designed as an instruction to her son in the choice of a wife, Pr 31:10-31; though more than that may be intended by it.

Footnotes

• [a] Or where or or
• [b] Or all children who are passing away