Proverbios 31:1-9

Dichos del rey Lemuel

1 Los dichos del rey Lemuel. Oráculo mediante el cual^[a] su madre lo instruyó:

2 «¿Qué pasa, hijo mío?¿Qué pasa, hijo de mis entrañas?¿Qué pasa, fruto de mis votos^[b] al SEÑOR?

3 No gastes tu vigor en las mujeres,ni tu fuerza^[c] en las que arruinan a los reyes.

4 »No conviene que los reyes, oh Lemuel,no conviene que los reyes se den al vino,ni que los gobernantes se entreguen al licor,

5 no sea que al beber se olviden de lo que la ley ordenay priven de sus derechos a todos los oprimidos.

6 Dales licor a los que están por morir,y vino a los amargados;

7 ¡que beban y se olviden de su pobreza!¡que no vuelvan a acordarse de sus penas!

8 »¡Levanta la voz por los que no tienen voz!¡Defiende los derechos de los desposeídos!

9 ¡Levanta la voz, y hazles justicia!¡Defiende a los pobres y necesitados!»

Proverbios 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] "Lemuel. Oráculo mediante el cual" . Alt. "Lemuel de Masa, mediante los cuales" .
• [b] "fruto de mis votos" . Alt. "respuesta a mis oraciones" .
• [c] "tu fuerza" . Lit. "tus caminos" .