Proverbs 31:1-8

¹The words given to King Lemuel; the prophecy which his mother taught him.

²What, O my son! and what, O son of my womb! Yea, what, O son of my vows! shall I say to thee?

³Give not thy strength to women, Nor thy ways to that which destroyeth kings!

⁴It is not for kings, O Lemuel! It is not for kings to drink wine, Nor for princes to desire strong drink;

⁵Lest they drink, and forget the law, And pervert the rights of any of the afflicted.

⁶Give strong drink to him who is ready to perish, And wine to him that hath a heavy heart;

⁷Let him drink and forget his poverty, And remember his misery no more!

⁸Open thy mouth for the dumb, In the cause of every orphan!